Former Elkhart teachers and twin sisters plead guilty in meth case

By PABLO ROS, Tribune Staff Writer

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35-year-old Michelle Stancati (left), and 35-year-old Maria Stancati (right) are two former Elkhart teachers who were arrested after an in-home meth lab sparked a fire. (Photos provided)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: May 5, 2009 at 2:01 PM EDT

Story Updated: May 5, 2009 at 2:05 PM EDT

SOUTH BEND — Two former Elkhart teachers pleaded guilty Tuesday to dealing meth within 1,000 feet of a South Bend school.

Maria M. Stancati and Michelle M. Stancati, 35-year-old twin sisters, pleaded guilty to the Class A felony in exchange for a cap on their executed sentences of 26 years.

That means when Judge Jerome Frese of St. Joseph Superior Court sentences the two women June 16, he may not impose a prison term greater than 26 years, though he could suspend the entire sentence and place them on probation.

Frese took their plea agreements under advisement Tuesday and will make a decision whether to accept them at sentencing.

Maria Stancati also pleaded guilty to operating a vehicle while intoxicated as a Class C misdemeanor. Two other charges against her, of driving while intoxicated with priors, Class D felonies, were dismissed.

Michelle Stancati has a pending case in Elkhart County on a charge of dealing meth.

In Indiana, a Class A felony carries a potential prison term of 50 years.

Michelle Stancati was a teacher at North Side Middle School in Elkhart, while her sister was a teacher at Elkhart Memorial High School.

They were arrested in November at their home in the 500 block of East Woodside Street after firefighters responding to a blaze detected a strong odor of ammonia and found ingredients used in the manufacturing of meth.

Their residence was 591 feet from Monroe Elementary School at 312 Donmoyer Ave.

"You guys are going to have to do some serious thinking," Frese told the sisters. "Think what you’re doing to your parents."

Staff writer Pablo Ros:
pros@sbtinfo.com
(574) 235-6357

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