By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Andrea K. Cardoza

WARSAW — An Elkhart woman will serve four years in prison after dealing more than 40 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer.

Andrea K. Cardoza, 35, 321 W. Hubbard Ave., Elkhart, was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 3 felony. A methamphetamine possession charge, as well as a separate methamphetamine dealing case, were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Cardoza was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Thursday, July 14.

Sometime in November 2020, the NET43 Drug Task Force made a controlled purchase of 44 grams of methamphetamine from Cardoza. The purchase was captured on digital surveillance.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney John Barrett said Cardoza has a fairly limited criminal history and understands the seriousness of what she did. He noted that he applied Cardoza for several alternative programs but never heard back.

“I have high hopes for her and know she will ultimately emerge from this as a better person,” said Barrett.

Cardoza was emotional in court and told Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed that “seeing my kids suffer the most is what hurts.” She said that this charge was her first felony and apologized to the court for her actions.

Several of Cardoza’s family members, one of whom was Cardoza’s child, attended the sentencing.

For dealing methamphetamine, Judge Reed sentenced Cardoza to seven years in the Indiana Department of Correction. The last three years of Cardoza’s DoC sentence were suspended on probation. She has 109 days of jail time credit in the case.

One of Cardoza’s relatives became emotional while the sentence was read and had to temporarily leave the courtroom.

Judge Reed recommended Cardoza for participation in DoC’s Recovery While Incarcerated program. He also said he would be willing to modify the fourth year of Cardoza’s prison sentence if she has good conduct and is successful in RWI.

Cardoza must also pay $1,000 in restitution to NET43.