Jasonville woman wanted on a warrant found living in Newberry

When a Jasonville woman wanted on a warrant was located in Newberry last Friday, a deputy said she had a syringe in each of two pockets. Now she’s in jail and facing additional drug charges.

Stephanie Jo Hawkins

Stephanie Jo Hawkins, 35, of Jasonville, was arrested by Deputy David Elmore of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department last Friday, April 3.

Hawkins was wanted on a warrant issued for her arrest on a petition to revoke a suspended sentence. In late November of 2018, Hawkins was sentenced in two separate cases, both for possession of methamphetamine, both a Level 6 felony. In one case, she served her sentence on work release then started to serve the sentence in the second case. In the second case, part of her sentence was suspended and she served the rest on work release then was on probation. But a petition to revoke her suspended sentence was filed on a probation violation and a warrant issued.

Last Friday, April 3, Deputy Elmore requested a search warrant for a residence on Pleasant Street in Newberry to locate Hawkins. When the warrant was executed, Hawkins was taken into custody and Deputy Elmore reported she was found with two syringes in two pockets. She allegedly said one was new, the other one would test positive for meth and she did not have a medical purpose for possessing syringes.

When Hawkins asked the deputy to go with her to get a pair of shoes, Deputy Elmore reported seeing, on a table, a clear zip lock bag with the residue of a white substance inside. Hawkins allegedly said she had bought some beads and they came in the bag, but Deputy Elmore said the bag tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.

With Hawkins in the patrol vehicle, and Deputy Elmore explaining he was going to request a search warrant for the house, Hawkins said she didn’t want anyone else to get in trouble because of her and she agreed to let the deputy search her bedroom.

Deputy Elmore reported he found new and used syringes, digital scales with residue, multiple clear bags with white residue and two glass smoking pipes with white residue.

Hawkins was booked into the Greene County Jail before 6:30 p.m. She was held without bond pending her appearance in court.

Yesterday, Monday, April 6, during her initial hearing, Hawkins was charged with:

• Possession of methamphetamine, a Level 6 felony,

• Possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor,

• Maintaining a common nuisance – controlled substances, a Level 6 felony, and

• Unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony.

Her bond in this case was set at $12,500 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

A public defender was appointed to represent her and has filed a motion to reduce bond.

In the earlier case with the warrant, her bond is set at $25,000 surety with ten percent cash allowed.

A motion to reduce bond has been filed in that case also, no rulings yet.

As of Tuesday evening, April 7, Hawkins is still in custody.