By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Regina Kay Stocklin

WARSAW — A woman will serve a six-year sentence locally for two criminal cases involving her operating vehicles while her driving privileges were suspended for life.

In the first case, Regina Kay Stocklin, 54, Pleasant Lake, was charged with operating a vehicle after forfeiture of license for life, a level 5 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. She has the same charges in a second criminal case. Five additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Stocklin was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court Three on Tuesday, March 5.

For the first case, Kosciusko Superior Court Three Judge Chad Miner sentenced Stocklin to three years in the Kosciusko County Jail, with one year executed and two years suspended on formal probation. As part of this case, she must complete the Kosciusko County Jail Chemical Addiction Program during her incarceration.

She also received a three-year KCJ sentence for the second criminal case, with two years executed and one year suspended on formal probation. For this case, Stocklin can serve the first year of the executed sentence through work release and the second year through either work release or community corrections.

Both of Stocklin’s cases will be served back-to-back to each other and to four additional criminal cases she has.

In total, Stocklin received a six-year sentence, with three years executed and three years suspended on probation.

At sentencing, it was noted that Stocklin has a significant criminal history, including two pending probation violations in Kosciusko Circuit Court. Stocklin’s probation officer, Renee Wilson, recommended a long “step-down process” for Stocklin’s cases, starting with participation in JCAP, followed by work release, community corrections, and enrollment in Rose Garden Recovery Community in Syracuse. Wilson said she believed Stocklin was capable of following the process.

Deputy Prosecutor Jennifer Naue said Stocklin’s plea agreement was a “just resolution” to the cases and commended Wilson’s thoughtfulness with the step-down process for Stocklin.

Defense Attorney Ed Ruiz said Stocklin was excited about the plan and asked Miner to give Stocklin the opportunity to succeed.

Stocklin thanked the court for considering the plan, saying she wanted to improve and do better.

“It sounds like you are at a point where you’re ready to make a big change,” said Miner.

On May 13, 2023, a Syracuse Police officer responded to a fraud report. A woman said she believed Stocklin had used her name during a traffic stop with another Syracuse officer. Officers saw Stocklin driving and pulled her over.

According to court documents, Stocklin said she did not have her driver’s license with her. Upon searching her vehicle, officers found meth. Stocklin was also illegally driving a vehicle, having had her driving privileges suspended for life in December 2019.

On June 6, 2023, a Syracuse officer noticed a vehicle fail to signal a turn and pulled the vehicle over. Stocklin was identified as the driver. Upon searching the vehicle, officers found meth. Stocklin was also once again driving a vehicle even though her driving privileges were suspended for life.