By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Haleigh Renae Johnson

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman will serve a three-year sentence locally after a warrant search resulted in discovering drugs inside a home where a young child was present.

Haleigh Renae Johnson, 29, 1521 E. Fort Wayne St., Warsaw, is charged with possession of methamphetamine and neglect of a dependent, both level 6 felonies. Four additional criminal charges, as well as an additional methamphetamine possession case, were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

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

On Jan. 28, 2021, officers with the NET43 Drug Task Force were taking part in a multi-agency warrant blitz. The officers went to a residence in Pierceton to serve a warrant on a man for drug charges.

Officers made contact with a woman, identified as Johnson, at the residence’s door. A small child was in the home at the time.

While searching the home, officers found a small makeup bag containing Johnson’s driver’s license, three bags, a spoon with residue and four syringes. One of the bags contained methamphetamine.

During court proceedings, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz said Johnson needs strict supervision in order to stop using drugs.

Defense Attorney Austin Rovenstine said Johnson is doing well but noted her probation officer has expressed concern to him about alcohol use. He requested the court allow Johnson to detox at a behavioral health facility before reporting for any executed sentence.

For each count, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Johnson to 1 1/2 years in the Kosciusko County Jail. Both counts will be served consecutively.

In total, Johnson received a three-year sentence. Two months of the sentence will be executed at KCJ; one year and four months can be served through the county’s work release or community corrections programs; and 1 1/2 years was suspended on probation.

Johnson was ordered to report to KCJ for execution of her sentence on March 4.