A 26-year-old Richfield man’s life may be over after he recently pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in federal court. The 26-year-old had supposedly been working with a 40-year-old who had repeatedly sold methamphetamine to undercover police officers. It appears that it was only one time that the 26-year-old had actually sold to officers and he had only done so under the direction of the older man. Because he pled guilty, it is unlikely that we will ever learn if the younger man had been selling these drugs willingly.
For this crime, both men face a maximum of life behind bars. And because federal prison does not have a parole system, they will serve their entire sentences, meaning that this 26-year-old may die in prison.
It remains to be seen what the young man was offered in his plea agreement because the United States District Court judge has not yet had a sentencing date. The sentencing hearing has not even been set yet.
As part of the plea agreement, the young man admitted that he sold nearly 1 ounce of methamphetamine to an undercover officer near a carwash in Little Canada. That ounce was only $1,300. Police later raided the home in which the older man had stored his narcotics and they found only 9 ounces of methamphetamine.
As we have mentioned numerous times in this blog, making the decision to plead guilty is something that only a suspect can do, but it should never be undertaken without sound legal advice as to what rights will be foregone during a guilty plea.
Source: Richfield Patch, “Richfield Man Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine,” Caitlin Burgess, Aug. 29, 2012
Learn more about methamphetamine charges on our website.
