The Indiana Supreme Court suspended the law license of a Noble County lawyer convicted of possession of methamphetamine.

Last summer, Jon A. Criss, 44, was arrested after going to great lengths to hide from authorities, even submitting his own obituary to a local newspaper to fake his own death.

According to court documents, he was arrested at his own home in the 8800 block of North County Road 550 East in Kendallville after deputies responded to reports he was having a possible heart attack.

Inside the house, a deputy found a white powder substance in a coffee filter in a jewelry case sitting on a bedside table. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine. Marijuana was also found inside the master bedroom, as was a wooden box containing a package of synthetic marijuana.

Two women were at Criss’ house, and one identified herself as Criss’ live-in girlfriend. She was charged with possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a common nuisance, possession of marijuana, possession of a synthetic drug and possession of paraphernalia, according to Noble County Superior Court records.

Police found numerous items of paraphernalia associated with ingesting methamphetamine and marijuana inside the house, according to court documents.

In August, Criss pleaded guilty to felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and maintaining a common nuisance and misdemeanor charges of possession of paraphernalia and possession of synthetic marijuana. He was sentenced to a year in prison on each felony charge, as well as a term of probation.

He is scheduled to be released from the Indiana Department of Correction this month.

But when he gets out, Criss won’t be able to practice law for the time being.

This month, the Indiana Supreme Court issued an order for an interim suspension because of the guilty plea.

Criss was already suspended for failure complete continuing legal education requirements, according to the order.

rgreen@jg.net