By Liz Adkins
InkFreeNews

Samantha Lee Burleson

WARSAW — A Warsaw woman will serve seven years in prison on multiple drug possession charges.

Samantha Lee Burleson, 24, Warsaw, was charged with possession of methamphetamine, a level 4 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a level 5 felony; and possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony. Four additional criminal charges were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

Burleson was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, July 29.

For the Level 4 felony, Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed sentenced Burleson to four years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Burleson also received a two-year DOC sentence for the Level 5 felony and one year in DOC for the Level 6 felony meth possession. All three of these charges will be served back-to-back to each other and to two additional criminal cases.

Burleson has 101 days of jail time credit, plus good time credit as calculated. She was recommended for participation in Recovery While Incarcerated during her sentence.

In total, Burleson will serve seven years in prison.

Desiree England, Burleson’s peer recovery coach, attended the sentencing. England is a house manager for a local residential recovery program. She said Burleson has shown a great interest in the program and doesn’t have any issues with the restrictions she would be placed under. England also noted Burleson relapsed into using drugs after the loss of a spouse to a fatal drug overdose.

Prosecutor Brad Voelz said the circumstances behind Burleson’s relapse were “sad and tragic,” but noted Burleson committed “crime after crime after crime.” He said Burleson had previously completed the county’s drug court program but questioned if a different program would work.

Defense Attorney Cory Spreen said Burleson can stay sober when she is in the right place mentally. He requested the court place her in a therapeutic community so she can continue focusing on her sobriety.

“What do we lose by placing her in a recovery center?” said Spreen.

Burleson said drug court saved her life and that she stayed sober for six years after completing the program. She told Reed she remained a supportive figure in the recovery community, creating a nonprofit in her spouse’s memory.

“It’s been relapses,” said Reed, noting Burleson’s multiple drug possession charges. “You’re totally a good person when you’re sober.”

On Aug. 21, 2023, a Winona Lake Police officer saw a vehicle operating without any taillights. The officer pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver as Burleson. Upon searching Burleson’s person, officers found 3.9 grams of meth.

On Aug. 29, 2023, a North Webster Police officer saw a vehicle that he was aware of an active “be on the lookout” alert for. Burleson was driving the vehicle and exited the vehicle with her purse.

According to court documents, upon searching Burleson’s purse, officers found 14.6 grams of meth.

On Feb. 2, a Mentone Police officer saw Burleson inside a gas station and knew Burleson had two active warrants for her arrest. Upon searching Burleson’s person, the officer found a glass pipe that tested positive for meth.