Two defendants were sentenced Thursday morning in Starke Circuit Court.
Mauro Zuniga, 36, of North Judson pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the State to a Level 6 Felony charge of possession or use of a legend drug. He was sentenced per the terms of that agreement to 20 months in the Starke County Justice Center with 12 months suspended to be served on reporting probation. He admitted to possessing five Trazadone pills, an antidepressant, without a prescription in the center console in his vehicle. He will also complete a substance abuse program.
Due to time already served, he was anticipated to be released from the Starke County Jail on Thursday, but he is to face drug charges in Pulaski County.
Joshua Whitfield, 33, of Bass Lake, pleaded guilty in a plea agreement with the State to a charge of escape as a Level 6 Felony. He admitted to Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall that he cut off his ankle bracelet while on a court order to have a GPS monitor through Starke County Community Corrections. He said he left it at his home as he exited the premises.
Whitfield will serve 24 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with all time suspended to be served on probation. Whitfield also admitted to a probation violation to which he will serve 24 months in the Indiana Department of Corrections with all time suspended to be served on probation. Both sentences will be served consecutively.
