By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews
Jessica Adrianne Hall
WARSAW — A Roann woman will serve three years in prison after a traffic stop resulted in the discovery of 49 grams of methamphetamine.
Jessica Adrianne Hall, 29, 7432 W. River Road, Roann, was charged with dealing methamphetamine, a level 3 felony. Two additional criminal charges were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Hall was sentenced in Kosciusko Circuit Court on Monday, May 16.
On Aug. 18, 2020, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy saw a man driving while not wearing a seat belt. The deputy pulled the vehicle over and identified the driver as Buddy J. Livesay and a passenger as Hall.
According to court documents, the deputy determined both Livesay and Urbana had existing arrest warrants from Wabash County for dealing methamphetamine and were arrested at that time.
While searching their belongings, the officer found Hall’s purse contained two plastic bags of methamphetamine, which weighed 49 grams. Hall was also in possession of $219 in cash.
In this case, Livesay failed to appear for a pretrial conference in December 2021. A warrant for his arrest was issued at that time.
During court proceedings, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Brad Voelz said Hall being out on bond in the Wabash County case when this incident occurred was an aggravator.
Defense Attorney Jay Rigdon said Hall’s case in Wabash County was still pending and noted that she has a protective order against Livesay. Rigdon also said Livesay was the main instigator who took advantage of Hall.
“Staying away from him (Livesay) is the best way for Jessica to stay healthy,” said Rigdon. “Let her prove she has the ability to work, stay away from (Livesay) and be a law-abiding citizen.”
Hall told Kosciusko Circuit Court Judge Michael Reed that she has not failed any drug screenings since August 2020 and has done well since this incident.
Judge Reed noted that Hall pled to a Level 3 felony and needed to be sentenced accordingly.
For dealing methamphetamine, Judge Reed sentenced Hall to five years in the Indiana Department of Correction. The last two years of the sentence were suspended on probation. This case will also be served consecutively to the Wabash County methamphetamine dealing case. Judge Reed also recommended Hall for participation in Recovery While Incarcerated during her prison sentence.
In total, Hall will serve three years in prison and two years on probation.