Jose Santiago, Jr. Pleads Guilty Right before Trial; Roberta Clemons Trial Today

Jose Santiago, Jr.

A Knox man’s scheduled trial for today has been canceled in a surprise move by the defendant, Jose Santiago, Jr.
Santiago yesterday in Starke Circuit Court plead guilty without any plea agreement to charges relating to an indoor marijuana growing operation in February of this year.

Police Officers from Knox, Starke County and the Indiana State Police conducted a raid on the illegal operation at 207 Roosevelt Road in Knox and seized 78 marijuana plants in the raid.

The dealing in marijuana charges can result in sentencing ranging from 2 to 8 years in the DOC. Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall set sentencing for June 1st, 2011.

Roberta Clemons’ trial is expected to start this morning in Starke Circuit Court. Clemons is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance. Clemons was discovered to be in possession of controlled substances while being escorted from the probation department to the Starke County Jail. Clemons has plead not guilty and will be represented by Richard Ballard. If convicted Clemons faces a sentence ranging from 6 months to 3 years in the DOC.