Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
RYAN BLAKE addresses the court during his sentencing on drug and weapon charges in Gogebic County Circuit Court Thursday. His attorney, Jim Bucknell, sits next to him.
By RICHARD JENKINS
Bessemer - A Bessemer man was sentenced to at least 10 years in prison Thursday in Gogebic County Circuit Court on drug and weapon charges.
Ryan Anton Blake, 25, was sentenced to between 10 and 30 years for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. He was also sentenced to between 28 months and 90 months - or two years, four months and seven years, six months - for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
"Mr. Blake is 25 years old and has amassed four felony convictions and nine misdemeanor convictions. His convictions in these cases are going to be felonies No. 5 and No. 6," Gogebic County Circuit Judge Michael Pope said when issuing the sentence. "But it's not just the convictions themselves, it's how the courts and the system attempted to deal with Mr. Blake that is troubling to this court.
"...Mr. Blake has been afforded every opportunity this system could afford him to reform and become an acceptable member of society. He was afforded numerous breaks throughout his criminal history."
Pope also talked about how Blake was caught with 5.1 grams of meth and admitted to having ties to known drug dealers in the area.
Blake pleaded guilty to the charges on June 27, along with the habitual offender-second offense designation, which increased the potential maximum sentences he faced. The pleas came as part of an agreement that had other charges Blake was facing dismissed at sentencing.
Blake promised to try and make the best of his sentence and said he was starting to take responsibility for his actions.
"I'm sorry to you and this town for the person I've become and (for) putting at risk like that," he said. "I hope to be a better person one day."
When laying out his case for a stiff sentence, Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs talked about the drug problem facing the Gogebic Range, referencing two recent deaths suspected to be overdoses and the danger to police officers investigating drug crimes. Jacobs recommended a 10- to 30-year sentence for the drug charge, arguing a stiff sentence is needed to deter other criminals.
"A message has to be sent, or emphasized, to deter future conduct," Jacobs said.
Blake's attorney, Jim Bucknell, acknowledged there had to be a punishment, but asked for leniency.
He argued his client was in jail when the two recent deaths occurred, and they had nothing to do with the case. He also said Blake has never been sentenced to prison before, only county jail, and was ultimately a good person.
"He's not really a bad guy, all in all," Bucknell said, saying Blake will take the prison sentence hard, regardless of length.
Blake received credit for 158 days already served on his sentences.
Pope also sentenced Blake to between 36 months and 10 years, with a jail credit for 496 days served, for violating his probation by committing the crimes he was sentenced for.
According to information presented in court, Blake was on probation for a breaking and entering charge from 2015 in Gogebic County.
The sentences for the three crimes will run concurrently, meaning the other two sentences are scheduled to be finished before the sentence for the drug charge is completed.
