By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Michelle Anne Poe

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman received a seven-year prison sentence in a drug case in which she fled from Indiana State Police.

Michelle Anne Poe, 36, Warsaw, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; and resisting law enforcement, operating a vehicle with an ACE of .15 or more with a prior conviction, and failure to appear, all level 6 felonies. Six additional criminal charges, as well as a methamphetamine dealing case, were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Poe was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Feb. 28.

On Aug. 15, 2020, an Indiana State Trooper was completing a traffic stop on CR 150W when a vehicle sped past the trooper’s patrol vehicle. The trooper then noticed the speeding vehicle approach US 30 and turn east without signaling the turn.

According to court documents, the trooper completed his traffic stop and was able to catch up to the speeding vehicle near SR 15. As the vehicle was approaching Anchorage Road in Warsaw, the vehicle’s driver went to change lanes and did not properly signal the lane change. While the trooper tried to pull the speeding vehicle over, the vehicle began to slow but continued east on US 30.

The driver was speeding in excess of 90 mph and was weaving from lane to lane erratically. The driver continued to travel at a high rate of speed, disregarding a traffic signal at US 30 and CR 250E. The vehicle’s headlights then blacked out while speeding in excess of 100 mph.

The driver continued to flee until the vehicle hit stop sticks on Old Road 30 at CR 600E. The vehicle’s driver, identified as Poe; and a passenger, Alfred W.P. McDonald, 56, Warsaw; attempted to flee on foot but were apprehended.

Poe admitted to fleeing from law enforcement because of warrants for her arrest. She also admitted to smoking methamphetamine 30 minutes prior to the pursuit.

A Warsaw Police officer found a medication box on top of fresh tire tracks in a bean field where the speeding vehicle stopped. The box contained three plastic bags containing a white, crystal-like substance.

Prior to being booked in the Kosciusko County Jail, Poe had a bag containing a white crystal substance on her person. The methamphetamine had a total weight of 25 grams.

Poe was previously convicted of operating a vehicle while intoxicated in September 2016. McDonald’s case is currently pending.

During court proceedings, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz noted Poe’s significant criminal history. Defense Attorney Travis Neff said Poe has taken responsibility for her actions and requested Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed recommend Poe for Recovery While Incarcerated during her prison sentence.

For methamphetamine possession, Judge Reed sentenced Poe to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Poe also received a one-year DoC sentence for each additional count. All four counts will be served consecutively.

In total, Poe received a seven-year sentence. Judge Reed recommended Poe for participation in RWI.

She has 506 days of jail time credit in this case. Her driving privileges are also suspended for two years upon her release from DoC.