Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw man will serve 25 years in prison for dealing drugs to undercover officers.
Steven Scott Lattea, 54, of 3559 S. Palestine Lane, Warsaw, was sentenced for dealing in a narcotic drug, a level 2 felony; and possession of a narcotic drug with a prior dealing conviction, a level 5 felony. Eleven additional charges and a separate drug dealing case were all dismissed as part of a plea agreement.
Lattea was sentenced in Kosciusko Superior Court I on Thursday, Sept. 24.
For dealing a narcotic drug, Kosciusko Superior Court I Judge Karin McGrath sentenced Lattea to 20 years in the Indiana Department of Correction. Lattea also received a five-year DOC sentence for narcotic drug possession. Both of Lattea's sentences will be served back-to-back.
Lattea has 234 days of jail time credit. He must also pay a total of $1,490 in restitution to the (Narcotics Enforcement Team) NET 43 Drug Task Force. McGrath made a recommendation for DOC to consider Lattea for placement in Recovery While Incarcerated during his sentence.
At sentencing, Special Prosecutor Alexander Carson noted Lattea's lengthy criminal history involved illegal substances and requested Lattea receive 25 years all executed in DOC.
"Fentanyl is a horrible scourge on the community," said Carson.
Defense Attorney Antony Garza said Lattea had accepted responsibility for his actions and is a lifelong addict. He noted Lattea had dealt drugs to "fund his habit, not for profit."
"I know I did wrong and I want to better myself," said Lattea.
Affidavits Of Probable Cause
Sometime in September 2025, NET 43 conducted a controlled purchase of 0.3 grams of fentanyl, a narcotic drug, from Lattea. NET 43 also purchased 16.5 grams of fentanyl from Lattea sometime in December 2025.
Lattea was previously convicted of dealing in cocaine or a narcotic drug in Whitley County in 2001.
