|
Heuer sentences two to prison for drug dealing |
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 15 2008 |
By TJ HEMLINGER
Staff writer
Two people involved in separate drug deals were sentenced to prison terms Monday morning in Whitley County Circuit Court.
Kathy L. King, 49, of Warsaw was sentenced to 12 years in jail with six years to be served and six on probation on a charge of dealing in cocaine, a Class B felony. She could have received 20 years on the charge.
Don S. Bowlin, 46, of South Bend, received a 10-year sentence with six to serve on a charge of dealing cocaine.
In King’s case, her attorney, Brad Baber, told the court that allowing her on work release would let her help her sick, elderly parents and allow her to pay restitution. He said she had no prior felonies, only misdemeanors, the most recent in 1998 for public intoxication.
“She was addicted to crack (cocaine) and introduced to it by a boyfriend,” he said. “She didn’t (sell) it for profit, she did it for her habit.”
Deputy prosecuting attorney D.J. Sigler said, “This is a sadly familiar tale, but greater than that she was delivering crack. The danger to the community is severe and real.”
Judge James Heuer, in handing down the sentence, said, “Invariably someone who is a drug addict becomes involved in trafficking. It leads you away from your family to this point.”
Heuer recommended King be assessed for work release.
With Bowlin’s case, his attorney, Brad Voelz, told the court, “He has expressed remorse, not only for the consequences to his family and his son but also to society and other people.
“His previous drug conviction was 21 years ago for marijuana. He is likely to benefit from substance abuse treatment.”
Voelz said a mitigating factor should be that a lengthy prison sentence would be a hardship on his son, with whom he has a close relationship.
Bowlin addressed the court, saying, “I’d like to apologize to Whitley County for the whole thing. It’s something I’m quite ashamed of. I’ve seen what I was doing was wrong. I have cut ties with anyone remotely connected with what was going on.
“Sorry’ seems like a hollow word, but it’s genuine with me.”
Voelz, in turn, said, “He carried these drugs (from South Bend) for one person. He wasn’t profiting from it. He sold it to a confidential informant that he thought was a friend. He gave up the names of the suppliers in South Bend.”
Sigler said, “His prior drug conviction is an aggravator. Back in 1987 Mr. Bowlin was put on notice this type of behavior is not acceptable. He was engaged in an enterprise that brought cocaine to Whitley County. It was his decision to fall in with that crowd.”
Heuer, in sentencing Bowlin, said, “I just don’t understand how you got into this.”
In addition to the jail time, Heuer fined Bowlin $500.
|
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, April 16 2008 )
|
