A Carmi man on probation for a 2021 meth conviction is heading to prison following his arrest in May of this year. 31 year old James E. Belka was originally arrested on November 18th of 2021 and charged with possession of meth, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful use of property. He was sentenced to 6 months jail and ordered into drug treatment on the meth charge. On May 13th, Belka was arrested again for possession of meth and unlawful use of property. Due to his history, his probation was revoked on the November charge and he’s been sentenced to 5 years behind bars on the 2021 meth conviction as well as 5 years on the new Unlawful Use of Property charge. Those sentences will be served at the same time. States Attorney Denton Aud also says Belka has been recommended for the Impact Incarceration Program (also known as Boot Camp) and has been credited with 47 days worth of time served. Belka will serve a year of mandatory supervised release once he serves his time.
