By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

Melvin Santana-Slone

WARSAW — A Warsaw man will serve seven years in prison after dealing methamphetamine to an undercover officer and threatening to kill a woman.

In the first case, Melvin Santana-Slone, 38, Warsaw, was charged with dealing in methamphetamine, a level 4 felony. He was also charged with intimidation, a level 6 felony, in a second case. Six additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Santana-Slone was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court One on Monday, Aug. 16.

On Oct. 17, 2019, a Warsaw Police officer with the NET43 Drug Task Force purchased about four grams of methamphetamine from Santana-Slone. The exchange was recorded via audio and video.

On Aug. 29, 2020, a Warsaw Police officer was dispatched to a location regarding a distraught woman outside of a home. At the scene, Santana-Slone told officers nothing had happened other than a verbal argument.

Officers then spoke with the woman about what occurred. The woman said Santana-Slone threatened to kill her.

During court proceedings, Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon said Santana-Slone has had time to think about his actions.

“He has the ability to be successful,” said Rigdon. “He’s intelligent but has a lot of baggage.”

“What I did wasn’t right and there’s no excuses for it,” said Santana-Slone in court. “I’m sorry and I take responsibility for my actions.”

For dealing methamphetamine, Special Judge Karen Springer sentenced Santana-Slone to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections. She also sentenced him to one year in DoC for the intimidation charge. Both sentences will be served consecutively. In total, Santana-Slone will serve seven years in DoC.

He has 172 days of jail time credit in the methamphetamine dealing case. Santana-Slone must also pay $110 in restitution to NET43. A no-contact order remains in effect between Santana-Slone and the woman he threatened.

Springer also recommended Santana-Slone for the Recovery While Incarcerated program as part of his sentence.