Greensburg, IN — A Columbus woman received a 14-year sentence in Decatur Superior Court Wednesday after pleading guilty to a drug dealing charge.
Rudi Marie Harris was sentenced by Judge Matthew Bailey for Dealing in a Narcotic Drug (Level 2 felony).
Ten years of the sentence will be served in prison while the remaining four years were suspended to supervised probation.
Decatur County Prosecutor Nate Harter said Harris’ criminal history includes misdemeanor conversion, misdemeanor OWI, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance, felony fraud, felony failure to return to lawful detention, numerous failures to appear for court, and numerous failures of probation.
“Dealing drugs includes sharing with your friends,” said Harter. “Dealing includes pooling your money with friends and one person driving to your source to get drugs for the whole group. Yes, it’s possible to be both addicted and a dealer.”
A Level 2 Felony Dealing in a Narcotic Drug is subject to potential penalties of 10 to 30 years in prison, with an advisory sentence of 17-and-a-half years.
“Here, Ms. Harris acknowledged that she intended to share with other friends,” Harter said. “That’s less morally guilty than the person making money or a business out of selling poison, which is why I acknowledge that a sentence toward the lower end of that spectrum was appropriate.”
The charge stemmed from Harris’ arrest by Greensburg Police last August.
Harter is recognizing Lt. Derek Fasnacht as the lead officer in the case, along with Detective Mike Colson, Sgt. Joe Radcliff, and EMS personnel.
“This case began with a concerned citizen calling in what she believed to be drug use and potential intoxication in a public place, to which law enforcement responded. EMS participated in protecting the defendants, law enforcement, and the public from the powerful narcotics found on the scene. It was a great team effort to secure the evidence and confessions that led to this outcome,” Harter said.
