By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Jimmie Lee Underwood Jr.

WARSAW — A South Bend man will avoid prison time after being arrested for selling heroin in an undercover drug buy.

Jimmie Lee Underwood Jr., 35, South Bend, was charged with dealing a narcotic drug, a level 5 felony. Two additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Underwood was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Thursday, June 30.

On Sept. 23, 2016, a Warsaw Police officer met with an informant who said they had arranged to purchase three grams of heroin for $500 from Underwood. The officer provided the informant with documented task force funds to complete the purchase.

According to court documents, the informant met with Underwood in a Dollar General parking lot. Using the funds, the informant purchased three grams of heroin from Underwood and provided officers with the drugs. After the purchase, Underwood left the scene.

South Bend Police assisted Warsaw officers with identifying the dealer as Underwood. A warrant for Underwood’s arrest was officially served on Nov. 24, 2020.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Nick Jacobs said Underwood has been attempting to apply for St. Joseph County’s work release program. However, acceptance prior to Underwood’s sentencing was not viable since the program is currently overwhelmed with new applicants.

Jacobs noted that Underwood is gainfully employed and has not had any new drug cases since 2016.

“I’m a different man and I’ve grown a lot,” said Underwood.

For dealing a narcotic drug, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Underwood to three years in the Indiana Department of Correction. The DoC commitment was suspended, with the first 2 1/2 years to be served at either the Kosciusko County Jail or St. Joseph County Jail. Underwood can also serve the executed time through either county’s work release program. The last six months of Underwood’s sentence was suspended on probation.

Judge Reed gave Underwood until 5 p.m. July 22 to be accepted to St. Joseph County’s work release program. If he is not accepted by that date, he must report to the county jail for his sentence. He must also pay $500 in restitution to the Warsaw Police Department.

Underwood was granted pre-trial release and is required to wear an ankle monitor.