Watkins To Serve Nine-Year Sentence Locally For Drug Possession, Child Neglect
By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews
Kimberley Jo Watkins
WARSAW — A Warsaw woman will serve a nine-year sentence locally after pleading guilty to drug and child neglect charges.
Kimberley Jo Watkins, 38, Warsaw, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 3 felony; and neglect of a dependent, a level 5 felony. A dealing methamphetamine charge was dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Watkins was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, Aug. 19.
For meth possession, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Watkins to nine years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Watkins also received a three-year DOC sentence for neglect of a dependent. Both of Watkins’ sentences will be served at the same time.
The first three years of Watkins’ sentence will be executed at the Kosciusko County Jail, with the remaining six years suspended on probation. The DOC commitment was suspended. Reed also showed no objection to Watkins serving the executed portion through the Kosciusko County Work Release program if she is qualified and remains qualified.
In total, Watkins received a nine-year sentence, with three years executed and six years suspended on probation.
Watkins has 11 days of jail time credit plus good time credit as calculated. She was also released on time served for a probation violation in a separate drug case.
At sentencing, five women who teach classes at the Kosciusko County Jail attended Watkins’ sentencing in support of her. Watkins has been incarcerated since December 2023. She described the women as her “support team” and said work release would be beneficial and give her a structured environment. Multiple letters of support were also submitted on Watkins’ behalf.
“Kimberley is in a great situation where she needs to work hard and lean on these people,” said Defense Attorney Scott Reust. “She can control her destiny moving forward.”
Prosecutor Brad Voelz described the case as a “difficult situation,” with significant aggravators in the case, including the amount of drugs and a child’s presence, being weighed against presented mitigators.
“A significant crime supports significant consequences,” said Voelz.
On Dec. 3, 2023, an Indiana State Police trooper noticed a vehicle with an expired registration plate south of North Webster. The trooper pulled the vehicle over and identified its driver as Watkins. A child and a second adult were passengers in the vehicle.
According to court documents, the trooper had prior knowledge about the second adult previously using drugs and requested a K9 unit at the scene. The K9 alerted to drugs in the vehicle.
Upon searching the vehicle, officers found about 28 grams of meth in Watkins’ purse.
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