In a recent development that has shaken the community of Vanderburgh County, Indiana, former addiction counselor Michael Garrett Hagedorn has been sentenced to 16 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. His conviction stems from charges of dealing methamphetamine and narcotic drugs to vulnerable patients under his care, as reported by the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office.
Hagedorn, who previously owned and directed an addiction treatment counseling center, faced a severe sentence on May 30. He received concurrent sentences of 10 years each for dealing meth and narcotics, alongside a six-year enhancement for being a habitual offender.
The investigation into Hagedorn was initiated by detectives from the Evansville-Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force following multiple tips alleging his involvement in large-scale narcotics distribution. Shockingly, these tips also implicated him in selling drugs to individuals seeking treatment through his counseling services.
Authorities discovered damning evidence during their search, including 15.1 grams of methamphetamine found in Hagedorn’s vehicle and incriminating items at his residence in Newburgh. These items included firearms, body armor, marijuana, and digital scales. Moreover, hand-written ledgers uncovered at his home documented debts owed to Hagedorn, with one individual owing as much as $43,000.
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers expressed profound concern over Hagedorn’s actions, highlighting the betrayal of trust and the significant harm inflicted on individuals grappling with addiction. She emphasized that Hagedorn, well-aware of the destructive impact of drugs on both individuals and the community at large, callously exploited vulnerable addicts for personal gain.
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers credited the diligent efforts of the Evansville Vanderburgh County Drug Task Force for removing a substantial quantity of drugs from circulation and making the community safer. She underscored that drug-related crime and devastation have no place in Vanderburgh County, and with Hagedorn now behind bars, justice has been served to protect residents from further harm.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of trust and integrity within addiction counseling and underscores the severe consequences for those who betray that trust for personal gain.