Tribune-Star staff report
TERRE HAUTE — A Terre Haute man arrested recently on a Kansas warrant for dealing meth near a school agreed Tuesday not to fight extradition from Vigo County.
Steven Michael Jr. appeared in Superior Court 1, where he told Judge Michael Eldred he would sign he extradition papers if he could visit with his wife at the jail one last time before he was transported.
Michael said he has been living in Terre Haute with his wife’s family for about three months and had a job at a restaurant on the city’s south side. He was arrested March 4 at his residence on Spruce Street, and has no local criminal charges pending against him.
Eldred explained that a fugitive warrant issued Jan. 20 in Ford County, Kansas, states that Michael is facing felony charges that include sale of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of meth and dealing in meth. His bail in Kansas was set at $100,000.
When Michael said he intended to fight extradition, Eldred explained that it is likely Kansas authorities would take action to get a governor’s warrant forcing Indiana authorities to turn over the accused man. That process could take up to 60 days.
Michael then said he would like to say goodbye to his wife, but that it was unlikely his next regular visitation date would occur before he was transported to Kansas.
Eldred asked jail staff to make sure Michael receives the visit with his wife when he signs the extradition waiver. In case Michael does not sign the waiver, the judge set his bail at $50,000 with no 10 percent allowed and set April 8 as the deadline for the governor’s warrant from Kansas.
