A woman with an extensive history of drug abuse and addiction was sentenced today to one year in the Kosciusko County Jail.

Crystal Shafer, 38, 3876 N. SR 15, Warsaw, was arrested in April on a charge of possession of a legend drug. In a plea agreement, she agreed to a lesser charge of possession of precursors for unlawful sale, a Class D felony.

Through her attorney Antony Garza, Shafer admitted in Kosciusko Circuit Court this morning to a “long history of drug addition.” Said Garza, “She was in recovery for approximately three years and fell off the wagon. She has made contact with (an addiction recovery house) in Noble County and is looking forward to going back.”

With that, Garza asked Judge Rex Reed to suspend the recommended 3 year jail term to allow Shafer to take part in her recovery. “If jail is necessary, we request work release.”

Deputy prosecutor R. Steven Hearn had no statement to make to the judge.

Judge Reed addressed Shafer just before handing down the sentence saying, “Ms. Shafer I concur in the obvious in that you have a long history of drug-related problems … it’s not that I have no sympathy, although it may appear to be that way, but that hold on you is so great that after three years of intensive treatment it appears it didn’t take. I don’t know what it takes to get it to take.”

Reed also told the defendant, I’d like you to straighten out your life, but what’s ever been tried before hasn’t worked, including locking you up.”

In reviewing her past legal problems in both Kosciusko and Allen counties, Reed noted any court of appeals would uphold a sentence of the full 3 years if he so opted to enforce it. However, Reed instead ordered Shafer remanded to the custody of the Kosciusko County Sheriff for the period of 1 year, with approximately 94 days credit of time already served.

Reed added, “I have no objection to work release if Ms. Shafer is qualified and remains qualified.”