Brian LaMar Richardson

WARSAW — “I’m going to give you a chance because I think you can be a productive part of the community. You’re a smart guy,” said Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed to Brian Richardson in his sentencing today, March 7.

Richardson, 27, of Warsaw, was sentenced on the charge of dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony and possession of cocaine, a level 6 felony. The charge of possession of a narcotic drug was dismissed.

Richardson was initially sentenced to the Indiana Department of Corrections for three years for the dealing in a narcotic and one year to the IDOC on the possession charge. The sentences will be served concurrently. He was given three days jail-time credit and six days good-time credit.

However, Reed altered the sentence allowing Richardson to serve one year in the Kosciusko County Work Release Program and suspended the remaining three years. That time will be served on probation.

Richardson asked Reed if he would take into consideration to allow him in the work release program at the County jail, “I intend on working. I feel like Serenity House and working would be a better fit than jail time.”

Richardson must report to the County Jail by March 21, giving him time to find a job.