The last time Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed saw Sarah Hein, he told her he did not want to see her again in his courtroom.
Thursday morning, Hein was before Reed for sentencing in another drug-related case.
Hein, 32, plead guilty to probation violation and possession of methamphetamine, a Class D felony. In exchange for her plea of guilty, the state of Indiana agreed to dismiss count one and three, dealing methamphetamine, a Class B felony, and possession of two or more chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture, a Class D felony.
Hein was sentenced to 1-1/2 years in the Indiana Department of Corrections for the probation violation and two years on the possession of methamphetamine. The final year of the meth sentence was suspended.
Hein and her attorney, Christopher Kehler, pleaded the court for a short sentence in lieu of the progress Hein had made in the last nine months.
“Sarah has had difficulties in both of these cases,” Kehler said. “Since June of 2011 she has turned the corner. We ask that you either discharge her unsatisfactory from probation or choose to continue with probation in the probation case. In the meth case give her the minimum and allow her to serve that at the Kosciusko County Jail and any amount more than that to be suspended.”
Kehler told the court that Hein had finished all of her parenting classes at the Bowen Center and has only eight more classes to finish her drug and alcohol classes. Other than finishing classes, Kehler went on to note the progress Hein had made.
“She is now attending Ivy Tech and has employment opportunities,” Kehler said. “Owen’s and Kroger on the east side has accepted her for employment for 20 to 25 hours a week. Additionally, McDonald’s on Detroit Street called and she will have an interview for that as well. She has been clean from meth since June and I think that speaks highly of her. We would like to request she be eligible for work release as well.”
Chief Deputy Prosecutor Steven Hearn challenged the comments by Kehler in court.
“Sometime ago she made the plea that she would not be back here again, and not once but two or three times she’s been back. I think her record speaks for itself,” Hearn said.
Hein then addressed the court and Reed.
“I’ve learned to live sober and it’s a great feeling,” Hein said. “I pray that you give me a second chance so that I can be a productive member of society.”
Reed responded to Kehler and Hein’s requests by referencing Hein’s previous criminal history.
“The last time we were in here I made it very clear I didn’t want to see you again and here you are,” Reed said. “It says there has been nothing since June 14, 2011, but in July 2011 there is another case of battery. On two occasions you have been removed from the Serenity House for not complying with rules and regulations. It is not a matter of the courts not trying to be empathetic and merciful. There comes a time when you have to shape up. These cases have been pending for over a year. Why was it not until December that you went out and got a job and looked for a job?”
Reed sentenced Hein to the remainder of her suspended sentence in the probation violation case, which was 1-1/2 years. On the meth charge, Reed sentenced Hein to two years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with the final year of the sentence suspended.
She was also ordered to pay a $200 drug interdiction fee, $100 fine and court costs.
Both sentences are to run consecutively and her request for work release was granted.
