VALPARAISO | Valparaiso resident Stacy Biggs was given a shot Friday to clear two felony burglary counts from her record by completing the county's drug treatment court program.
The opportunity was opposed by one of the burglary victims, who said she and her family are still suffering ill effects from the crime eight months ago.
"I don't know if that is enough," the victim said of the sentence.
Porter Circuit Court Judge Mary Harper warned Biggs that if she does not successfully complete drug court, she faces a minimum of 12 years behind bars.
"To me, you'd be out of sight and out of mind," Harper said.
Biggs pleaded guilty to burglarizing a home in April in the 4200 block of Oakgrove Drive in Valparaiso.
Her co-defendant in that crime, James Mullins, was sentenced last month to six years in prison, followed by two years of probation.
When given a chance to address the court before sentencing, Biggs said there is nothing she can say. She was then prompted by Harper to apologize.
"I'm very, very sorry," Biggs said. "I've done a lot of praying for what I have done. I have no excuses whatsoever."
Defense attorney Larry Rogers said while Biggs has a extensive history of drug use, she has no prior criminal record and had started using heroin just a couple months before the burglaries.
He urged the approval of drug court, in part, because Biggs will be required to keep a job and will be able to begin paying back her victims.
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