Donta Wayne Redden

KOSCIUSKO — A Warsaw man was sentenced to five years at the Indiana Department of Corrections during his sentencing in Kosciusko Circuit Court Monday, Oct. 1, on charges related to three cases. One year of that time will be suspended.

In the first case, Donta Wayne Redden, 20, 2122 W. Jefferson St., Warsaw, was found guilty of trafficking with an inmate, a level 5 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony.

Those charges are related to an incident where two inmates and two other individuals were connected to drug trafficking after the Kosciusko County Jail nurse discovered drugs inside an inmate’s lotion bottle.

Redden had reportedly brought the bottle of lotion into the Kosciusko County Jail on Jan. 4, and requested the lotion be delivered to Rhydeem Hudson, an inmate at the jail. Surveillance video was obtained showing the exchange.

In court today, Redden said peers have pushed him onto a bad track in life. He advised Judge Michael Reed that he is tired of this lifestyle.

“We’ve tried to avoid this with you, Donta,” said Reed. “You’ve got to change – you can’t lay this off on other people.”

Reed found Redden guilty of trafficking with an inmate, a level 5 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. Reed sentenced Redden to three years at the Indiana Department of Corrections for the charge of trafficking with an inmate. For the charge of possession of methamphetamine, Redden was sentenced to one year at IDOC. The sentences were ordered to be served concurrently but consecutive to the sentences imposed in two other cases. 

Redden was ordered to pay a minimum $200 drug interdiction fee and was given 224 days of jail time credit. 

In the case of F2-359, Reed revoked the balance of a one year suspended sentence and ordered Redden to serve this time at the Kosciusko County Jail. This sentence will be served following the sentence imposed in the first case. 

In a third case, Redden was found guilty of fraud, a level 6 felony, and sentenced to one year at the IDOC. This sentence was ordered to be served following the sentences imposed in the previous two cases. This sentence was suspended and ordered to be served on formal probation. 

Reed recommended Recovery While Incarcerated and stated that if Redden completes a clinically approved substance abuse program, he will consider a sentence modification. 

Other charges were dismissed, pursuant to the plea agreement.