Staff Report

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman was sentenced on drug-related charges in Kosciusko County Circuit Court Thursday, July 29.

Sheri Courson

Sheri Alice Courson, 58, 1118 E. Clark St., Warsaw, pleaded guilty to three charges involving two separate cases. The charges in the first case included possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony, and maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony.

In the second case, Courson pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. 

In February 2020, Courson and three other women were arrested following a drug bust.

Courson’s attorney, Everett Newman, told Judge Michael Reed that Courson has been approved for the Kosciusko County Community Corrections program. 

Newman told the court that prior to court proceedings, Courson said to him, “The only person responsible for this is me. I did it to myself.”

When Reed asked if she would like to speak, Courson said, “I’m too old for this stuff now. My health isn’t good and I’m just asking for a chance to prove myself.”

She also thanked Judge Reed for allowing her son to go to the Serenity House and said he is now drug-free. 

Reed suggested that Courson and her son may be able to encourage and support each other in maintaining sobriety. 

In the first case, for the charge of possession of methamphetamine, Courson was sentenced to three years in prison. For the charge of maintaining a public nuisance, she was sentenced to one year in prison, with the sentences ordered to be served concurrently, meaning at the same time. 

Reed then suspended the prison sentence and ordered that the first two years of the sentence be served through Community Corrections, so long as Courson is qualified and remains qualified for that program.

The final year of the sentence was suspended and ordered to be served on formal probation. Courson received 30 days of jail time credit in this case.

In the second case, for the charge of possession of methamphetamine, Reed sentenced Courson to one year at the Kosciusko County Jail, with the sentence suspended and ordered to be served on formal probation. She was given three days of jail time credit. This sentence will be served consecutive to the previous sentence. 

Pursuant to the plea agreement, other charges were dismissed.

Courson was also ordered to participate in a program placement evaluation and to follow up with any recommended services.