A Warsaw couple arrested in October 2004 for running a marijuana-growing operation was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court Thursday afternoon.

Kenneth and Laura Schue, both of 460 E. CR 450S, Warsaw, submitted plea agreements to admit guilt to marijuana-related charges in May and received their sentences and a brief lecture from Kosciusko Circuit Judge Rex Reed Thursday.

Citing marijuana as a first step to the use of more severe drugs, Reed told the Schues, "Stay away from it."

Kenneth Schue pleaded guilty to cultivating marijuana in excess of 30 grams, a Class D felony. He was handed a 1-1/2 year prison sentence that was suspended. He will spend the time of the sentence on probation, and as part of that probation he must pay a $100 administrative, $100 initial and $25 monthly probation user's fees. He also was ordered to pay a $100 fine, a $1,000 drug interdiction fee and court costs.

Laura Schue pleaded guilty to possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to one year in jail for the offense. The sentence was suspended, and she was ordered to spend the year on probation. Her sentence also included an order to pay a $100 fine, a $1,000 drug interdiction fee and court costs. As part of her probation. she must pay a $50 administrative, $50 initial and $15 monthly probation user's fees.

As part of the plea agreements, all other charges related to the cases were dropped.

"Mr. and Mrs. Schue, I believe from what I read (in the presentencing report prepared by the Kosciusko County Probation Department), I need not fear ever seeing you again in this setting. I pray that is the case," said Judge Reed. "Occasionally, good things come out of mistakes we make in life. ... I hope you enjoy some positive things as a result of this disaster in your life."

More than 30 people were in the courtroom to show support for the Schues, and Reed named more than 20 people who sent letters regarding the case.

"I pretty well have my mind made up," said Reed before handing down the sentences. "I don't mean to offend anyone, but I don't think I need to hear any testimony. ... The letters (I have received) represent supportive feelings and feelings of concern for Mr. and Mrs. Schue."

After the sentences were meted, the Schue supporters in the courtroom responded with tears and sighs of relief. Once court was adjourned, a line of supporters greeted the couple with hugs and congratulatory wishes.

The Schues, who operate Schue's Landscaping, were booked into Kosciusko County Jail in September 2004 on charges of maintaining a common nuisance, dealing marijuana, possession of paraphernalia and two counts of possession of marijuana.

Around 2:45 p.m. Sept. 4, 2004, the Indiana State Police Marijuana Eradication Team was preparing to serve a search warrant on the Schue residence when members of the team reportedly saw Kenneth Schue tending marijuana plants near the CR 450S address.

Kenneth Schue was then taken into custody for possession/cultivating marijuana. Police said he was the person they expected to find in the residence they were preparing to search.

When officers served the search warrant on the residence, they found additional evidence of possession and distribution of marijuana, and also discovered an underground growing operation beneath an outbuilding near the home.

Officers reportedly seized more than $4,000 in cash, 14 firearms, 125 cultivated marijuana plants, drug paraphernalia and cultivation equipment.

Further charges were not pursued against Kenneth Schue because there was no evidence he was dealing marijuana. [[In-content Ad]]