Former drug counselor convicted of methamphetamine and drug trafficking

A former drug counselor was sentenced to 16 years in prison by the Indiana Department of Corrections for selling methamphetamine and narcotics to recovering patients, according to the Vanderburgh County District Attorney's Office.

Michael Garrett Hagedorn was sentenced on May 30 to 10 years in prison for methamphetamine trafficking, 10 years for drug trafficking and an additional six years in prison for repeat offenses.

Detectives with the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force began investigating Hagedorn after receiving information that he was selling large quantities of narcotics.

The reports also alleged that Hagedorn sold drugs to people using his counseling services.

Hagedorn is the former owner and director of a drug treatment counseling center.

He admitted to consuming 15.1 grams of methamphetamine found in his vehicle. At his Newburgh home, investigators also found guns, body armor, marijuana and digital scales.

Handwritten house records revealed a list of people who owned Hagedorn money, including one as much as $43,000.

“Thanks to the diligent work of the Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force, a large amount of drugs are being taken off the streets and out of our community. said Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers in a press release. “Hagedorn’s case is particularly egregious since he was a drug counselor. Hagedorn is well aware of the devastating impact of drugs on individuals and a community. Yet he preyed on drug addicts and profited greatly from his drug sales. Drugs bring crime and destruction to the community, and their peddler is now in prison and out of Vanderburgh County. We are safer thanks to the efforts of the joint task force and the prosecution.