Ramsay drug dealer sentenced to prison in Iron County Court

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Hurley - A Ramsay man who faces prison time on heroin and meth charges in Gogebic County was sentenced in Iron County Court Tuesday to three years in the Wisconsin prison system for delivery of methamphetamines.

Michael Johnson, 21, was also sentenced by Judge Patrick Madden to four years of extended supervision and assessed fines and court costs of $2,500.

He must seek alcohol and drug counseling and submit DNA samples, among other provisions of the sentence.

A second count of possessing meth was dismissed, but read into the record. The charges were filed on July 30.

"I can still do something with my life," Johnson told the court. He faces up to 20 years in prison and up to $25,000 in fines Gogebic County Court, however.

Johnson's Iron County attorney, Sam Filippo, of Saxon, Wis., said Johnson started using drugs at age 13.

Filippo said he thought the recommended pre-sentence investigation prison term of three to four years was "unusually harsh for an admitted addict."

Madden said Johnson had made "bad decisions over a long time." He denied Filippo's contention that the crime was non-violent.

"Meth labs blow up," Madden said, pointing out the dangers of drug dealers to local communities.

The judge agreed there is a chance Johnson can still turn around his life. "There is some hope that you'll realize that meth is death," Madden said.

Fritz Schellgell handled prosecution of the case for Iron County District Attorney Marty Lipske, who continues to recover from an illness.

Madden said Johnson may be eligible for a "boot camp" type of rehabilitation program while in prison.

Johnson was given credit for around 90 days spent in the Iron County Jail at Hurley.

A Gogebic County sentencing date is yet to be scheduled. In Gogebic County, Johnson was arrested along with Dylan Smith, 27, and Stephanie Juntti, 22, following an investigation in February by the Gogebic-Iron Area Narcotics Team.