By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Eric W. Woods

WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve three years in jail after burglarizing a shed and stealing items.

Eric W. Woods, 31, 1687 E. CR 200N, Warsaw, was charged with two counts of burglary, both level 5 felonies; possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; and theft, a class A misdemeanor. Five additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Woods was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Aug. 2.

On Nov. 20, 2020, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer responded to a burglary report. A man told the officer he believed Woods broke into his shed and was storing items there.

According to court documents, the man pointed out several items in the shed that did not belong to him. The items included a bag containing tools, video games and a cologne bottle. Also found in the shed were a debit card, a bag containing plumbing fittings, as well as several smoking devices and containers with a green leafy substance inside of them.

The officer also found a bag containing some clothing and a temporary driver’s license issued to Woods.

On Nov. 21, 2020, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s officer responded to a location regarding a group of people who had surrounded Woods and accused him of theft.

Woods told the officer he had stolen a bicycle from the area. He admitted to breaking into the man’s shed and entering it without permission. While searching Woods’ person, the officer found a smoking device used for methamphetamine consumption.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Dana Leon said Woods’ criminal history was “atypical but limited.”

“My experience with Mr. Woods is he is incredibly remorseful and embarrassed,” said Leon. “He wakes up every day and wonders why he did this.”

Leon asked the court to consider Woods’ remorse prior to giving his sentence.

Woods told Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath that the experience was eye-opening and helped him change. He also thanked the Kosciusko County Jail officers and kitchen staff for their kindness during his incarceration.

For each count of burglary, Judge McGrath sentenced Woods to three years in KCJ. Both counts will be served concurrently, or at the same time. She also sentenced Woods to one year in KCJ for possession of methamphetamine and one year for theft. Both of those counts will also be served concurrently; however, the one-year sentence was suspended on probation.

In total, Woods will serve three years in KCJ and one year on probation. He has 211 days of jail time credit in the case. Judge McGrath said she had no objection to Woods serving his sentence through work release or community corrections.

“You are better than your bad behavior and people see your potential,” said Judge McGrath. “Stay sober and be the great person you can be.”