Arnold Has Lucky Day In Court
WARSAW — Vanessa Eileen Arnold, 20, 318 W. Spring St., Etna Green, realized yesterday, Thursday, May 5, that perseverance and hard work really do pay off.
Arnold went into Superior Court I expecting a harsh sentencing for robbery, a level 3 felony and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony, but the reality turned out to be bit different from the expectations.
The Kosciusko probation department did a pre-sentence investigation on Arnold in October 2015, and their original recommendation was for Arnold be given the maximum sentence of six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz asked, “The question now becomes, what has she done since Oct. 14, 2015, until now.”
Dana Leon, Arnold’s attorney, addressed the question saying, “The day she (Arnold) was arrested was probably the best day of her life… She sits here clean and sober, back in October I don’t think anyone in this room thought that would happen.”
Superior Court I Judge David Cates deliberated over Arnold’s fate and seemed to have come to a decision and was about to hand out Arnold’s sentence, only to change his mind. He called counsel to the bench to have a private word before telling Arnold her fate. “I’ve only changed my mind in this case five times,” Cates told her.
For the robbery charge Arnold received 3 years, to be served at the IDOC, with 108 days jail-time credit. Cates said he was going to suspend the remaining portion and place her on probation. Arnold must pay restitution to the victim of $454.94.
For the charge of possession of meth Arnold received 1 year in the IDOC, with all but 30 days suspended. She also received 17 days jail-time credit and probation. “This will put you in jail for 4 years, less with credit, I’ve suspended that,” Cates told her. He told Arnold if she relapsed she could count on finishing her sentence in the IDOC. “I’m putting faith in you that you’re not going to do that, don’t let me down.”
After the trial, Arnold talked with an Ink Free reporter and explained her rocky road to recovery.
When Arnold was released on her own recognizance from the robbery charge she said that’s when she started using meth. She said she had tried to quit, but relapsed four times. Arnold ended up doing rehab in California at the Life Treatment Center. She said it was the best decision she had ever made.
Arnold has been clean and sober for 107 days and counting. She’s employed full-time, working six days a week and drives a two hour commute each day. “I’m working a full-time job. It’s the first time I had a job this long, waking up in the morning and doing what I’m supposed to be doing,” Arnold said with a small, rueful laugh.
Abbey Bruce, Arnold’s mother said through tears, “When she got out (of jail) and got into drugs, not knowing if she was dead or alive. I mean, who was I even going to hear it from?” She said she’s thankful that her daughter is getting her life on track. “I pray for her every day.”
Arnold stated, “This isn’t what I expected at all. I thought for sure I was going to jail because I had failed my program four times.” Sometimes perseverance really does pay off.
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