By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Brianne Lynn Fields

WARSAW — A Claypool woman received a three-year jail sentence for two drug-related cases.

In the first case, Brianne Lynn Fields, 23, 405 S. Graceland Ave., Claypool, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony. Fields was also charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony; and visiting a common nuisance, a class B misdemeanor, in a second case. Ten additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Fields was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Aug. 30. Several of Fields’ relatives attended the sentencing in support of her.

On Dec. 8, 2019, the NET43 Drug Task Force investigated a tip which led to the discovery of methamphetamine and paraphernalia at a Claypool home. After further investigation by the Claypool Police Department, it was determined that illegal drugs and paraphernalia came from the residence on Dec. 11, 2019, and Dec. 18, 2019.

Acting on a search warrant, police found five people in the residence, including Fields.

Police found a metal box inside the home containing a plastic bag with methamphetamine, a syringe, a glass pipe with white residue, several plastic bags containing white power residue, scales and numerous smoking devices. Police also found identifying information for Fields in the box.

On Feb. 26, 2020, an officer assigned to the NET43 Drug Task Force Unit responded to a 911 hang-up call at an East Clark Street residence in Warsaw. Upon officers’ arrival, four women, including Fields, were at the home. While at the residence, officers smelled marijuana, which resulted in officers obtaining a search warrant for the home.

In the home, officers found a plastic cup containing 10.5 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale with white residue, drug paraphernalia, and bags of marijuana.

One of Fields’ co-defendants, Sheri Courson, 58, Warsaw, was sentenced in July to three years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. However, the entirety of her sentence was suspended. She must serve the first two years through the county’s community corrections program and the final year through formal probation.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney John Barrett said Fields’ ultimate goal is to put her mistakes behind her.

“I want to get this all behind me,” said Fields. “I need to be the mom that I know I can be.”

For the Level 5 methamphetamine possession charge, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Fields to two years in the Kosciusko County Jail. She was also sentenced to one year in KCJ for the Level 6 methamphetamine possession charge and two months in KCJ for visiting a common nuisance. The Level 6 possession and misdemeanor common nuisance will both be served concurrently, or at the same time. The sentence imposed in Fields’ second case will be served consecutively to the first case. However, the sentence in Fields’ February 2020 case was suspended on probation.

In total, Fields received a three-year jail sentence, with two years executed and one year on formal probation. Judge Reed showed no objection to Fields serving her executed sentence through work release. Fields also has a total of 81 days of jail time credit from these two cases.

“You still got a chance to grow,” said Judge Reed. “Do something about it.”