Antonio Ayala, 57, Elkhart, sold cocaine to undercover officers three times before his arrest last April.

Antonio Ayala, 57, Elkhart, sold cocaine to undercover officers three times before his arrest last April. He entered guilty pleas to the offenses, all Class A felonies. Defense attorney Jim Stevens pointed out his client had lived 56 years with non-criminal behavior and served 14 years in his country’s army. His client is a “bright, intelligent man” Stevens said, but had cocaine addiction problems. He asked for the standard sentence for a Class A felony conviction, with some time suspended. Deputy prosecuting attorney David Francisco pointed out the weight of the cocaine that Ayala sold, with amounts increasing in each purchase. It was pointed out that the man violated the terms of his visa by obtaining a job at an Elkhart plant and after being convicted of a felony will be deported. He had obtained a driver’s license and used another person’s Social Security number, the judge was told.Judge Shewmaker said the man “is old enough to know better” and he felt an enhanced sentence is in order. He imposed three 45-year prison sentences and ordered them to be served concurrently. He noted credit for 288 days spent in jail.