Criminal History Sends Warsaw Man To Prison For Five Years
Criminal History Sends Warsaw Man To Prison For Five Years
Posted
Amanda Bridgman-
Criminal History Sends Warsaw Man To Prison For Five YearsA Warsaw man’s lengthy rap sheet resulted in him being sent to prison for five years for dealing drugs.
Mark Edward Thurman, 49, of 3762 W. Old 30, Apt. 90-E, Warsaw, appeared Thursday in front of Kosciusko Superior Court Judge Mike Reed and was sentenced to seven years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for a Level 3 felony dealing methamphetamine conviction. Five of those years are ordered to be executed, with two suspended to formal probation.
Thurman also was referred to participate in the Recovery While Incarcerated (RWI) program in prison, which upon successful complete could have the judge revisit his sentence. An order of restitution in the amount of $300 must be paid back to the county’s Narcotics Enforcement Team 43 (NET 43) for funds used to purchase drugs from Thurman in an undercover drug deal.
According to court papers in the case, on June 4, 2019, Thurman dealt 14 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover cop that was recored.
A plea deal struck with prosecutors dismissed remaining counts in the case and also dismissed another pending dealing case for Thurman.
Thurman’s attorney, David Kolbe, called Brian Jackson, a supervisor at the men’s Serenity House, to the stand to give a statement in support of Thurman.
Jackson said he’s known Thurman for roughly five years and that Thurman has lived at the Serenity House since late 2019.
“He was a tough nut to crack ... had a lot of immaturity,” Jackson said of Thurman when he first arrived to the program. However, Jackson said Thurman’s progress has been remarkable and that he now speaks to teens in the county’s drug court and is the “executive senior house resident” at Serenity House, which makes Thurman essentially the house’s manager when Jackson is out.
“Mark’s put a lot of hard work in. ... He’s steadfast and gainfully employed, and he is well on his way to being a productive member of society.”
Kolbe also asked the judge to take note of a handful of people in the gallery who showed up in support of his client.
Kosciusko County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matthew Buehler told the judge Thursday that upon the judge’s initial review of the plea agreement, the judge may have wondered why it was such a good deal for Thurman.
Buehler said he applauds Thurman for his work and that he deeply values the opinion of Jackson, which is how the plea deal came to be.
“Mark’s got a lot of tracks in the snow behind him that he’s pulling behind him. And he’s done some good things,” Kolbe said. “We solve nothing to put someone for very long in a cement box with bars.”
He asked for Thurman to be sentenced to community corrections, which he was accepted to, and remain living in the Serenity House.
Thurman told Reed he’s “sorry. I’m really trying hard. I remember being in your court before and you said, ladies and gentlemen, if you need help just ask, so I’m asking.”
“I’m one of the biggest fans of rehabilitation ... I always want you to be successful,” Reed said. “Under these circumstances, it’s an unrealistic request to leave here today. You’re not gonna go to prison because you’re an addict. You’re gonna go to prison for the sales of methamphetamine and carrying a handgun. There are things that cannot be allowed in our community. You’re selling drugs, carrying dangerous weapons. I applaud you for your efforts. But after 28 prior convictions over 20-plus years and having multiple opportunities, you have to do what you have to do.”
After Reed sentenced Thurman, Reed told him, “This is an awesome sentence to you, this is very benefical to you. You get another case dismissed.”
Thurman then asked Kolbe to tell the judge the weapon in the case was actually “in a safe at home.”
Reed said that’s irrelevant.
Thurman then asked Kolbe to ask the judge for a 14-day period before he reports to prison.
