By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Samantha Marie Jackson

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman will serve two years in prison after leaving the county’s work release center without permission.

Samantha Marie Jackson, 31, Warsaw, was charged with escape, a level 5 felony; resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony; and driving while suspended prior, a class A misdemeanor.

Jackson was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Aug. 15.

On April 2, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy was alerted by the county’s work release center about an inmate leaving the facility.

According to court documents, work release staff reported that Jackson had left the building without permission and could not be located. Through further investigation, officers learned that Michael L. Greenfield, Warsaw, was possibly traveling to the Warsaw area from Wabash to get Jackson.

The deputy found the type of vehicle Greenfield was reportedly driving in the area of Fisher Avenue and Ranch Road. The suspect vehicle’s driver made two turns without signaling and the deputy attempted to pull the vehicle over.

The vehicle finally stopped in the area of CR 350S and SR 15, at which point its occupants attempted to flee on foot.

Greenfield was taken into custody. Jackson exited from the driver’s side and attempted to climb over a fence, but was taken into custody.

Officers later discovered that Jackson has a driver’s status of suspended prior. At the time of this case, Jackson was serving a sentence for a methamphetamine possession case, with a conviction date of March 21. In the case, Jackson was sentenced to one year in the county’s work release program.

Greenfield, who is charged with aiding/inducing/causing escape, has a pretrial conference in this case on Sept. 19.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Dana Leon said Jackson was specifically requesting a sentence at the Indiana Department of Correction.

Jackson told Kosciusko Superior Court One Judge Karin McGrath that she wanted prison time in order to better herself and get her GED. She also thanked the court for saving her life by keeping her away from drugs.

“I want to take this opportunity to grow, heal and evolve,” said Jackson. “It’s easy to stay sober in a bubble but I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired. Please help me help myself.”

For escape, Judge McGrath sentenced Jackson to four years in DoC. Two years of the sentence will be executed and the other two years were suspended on probation. Jackson also received a two-year prison sentence for resisting law enforcement and a one-year sentence for driving while suspended prior.

All three counts will be served concurrently, or at the same time. The case will also be served consecutively to an additional criminal case.

Jackson’s driver’s license was suspended for one year. She has 135 days of jail time credit in this case.

In total, Jackson will serve two years in prison and two years on probation.

“We want you to be a sober, productive, happy member of our society,” said Judge McGrath. “We’ll be rooting for you.”