Pierceton Woman Sentenced In Four Cases Involving Auto Theft, Methamphetamine
KOSCIUSKO — A Pierceton woman was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court today, Jan. 28, in four different cases involving auto theft and methamphetamine.
In the first case, Monica Lynn Mullins, 23, 708 W. Catholic St., Pierceton, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. In a second case, Mullins was charged with auto theft, a level 6 felony. Mullins was also sentenced in two other cases for possession of methamphetamine and possession of paraphernalia charges.
On Oct. 23, 2017, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. A female subject said she loaned her vehicle to a male subject on Oct. 6. Without the female’s consent, the male loaned her vehicle to Mullins. The arrangement was for Mullins to borrow the vehicle for one day, but Mullins kept the vehicle for one month and made no attempt to return it. The officer made several unsuccessful attempts to contact Mullins.
On Nov. 11, 2017, Kosciusko County dispatch advised officers of the stolen vehicle. An officer with the North Webster Police Department observed the stolen vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. The officer identified the driver of the vehicle as Mullins.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the officer found there was an active warrant for Mullins regarding an auto theft. The warrant was for the vehicle she was operating. After searching the vehicle, officers found a plastic bag containing methamphetamine that weighed approximately 3 grams.
On Feb. 15, 2018, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department observed a vehicle with a false and fictitious registration plate. The officer conducted a traffic stop and identified the driver as Mullins. Upon discovering Mullins had two separate possession of methamphetamine arrests, the officer asked if Mullins had anything on her person. Mullins then handed the officer a small metal container from her purse and said there was less than half a gram of methamphetamine in the container.
The officer then searched the vehicle and found a plastic bag containing methamphetamine, a glass smoking pipe with residue, a digital scale with residue and a glass jar containing a white residue.
On Feb. 22, 2018, an officer with the Warsaw Police Department observed a vehicle with a false and fictitious license plate. After conducting a traffic stop, officers were given consent by Mullins to search her vehicle. Officers discovered two bags containing methamphetamine, a white cut straw with residue, two small plastic bags with residue and one set of digital scales with white powder residue.
While jail personnel were processing Mullins, they discovered a small plastic bag containing methamphetamine hidden on her person.
“Ms. Mullins really wants to make a positive change in her life and is willing to do so,” said Defense Attorney Scott Lennox. “She wants to become a contributing member to society.”
“I take full responsibility for my actions,” said Mullins. “And I want to better my future.”
In the auto theft case, Judge Michael Reed sentenced Mullins to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail. The jail sentence was suspended on formal probation.
In the November 2017 case, Mullins was sentenced to one year at the Indiana Department of Corrections. In the Feb. 15, 2018, case, Mullins was sentenced to one year in the Department of Corrections. In the Feb. 22, 2018, case, she was sentenced to one year in the Department of Corrections and 60 days in the Kosciusko County Jail. All of the Department of Corrections time given in all three cases was suspended as long as Mullins is accepted into work release.
“Show me that you can actually stay sober,” said Reed. “Now is the time to step up and act.”