A Niles man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to a methamphetamine trafficking charge.

Robert Newton, 34, was sentenced Sept. 23 in U.S. District Court in South Bend to 120 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to court documents, Newton was driving a rental vehicle in Michigan City when police stopped him for a traffic violation. During the stop, investigators discovered three bags containing approximately 59.5 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle’s rear hatch.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA North Central Laboratory, LaPorte County Drug Task Force, Long Beach Police Department and Michigan City Police Department.