Probation revocation draws prison sentence

By RALPH ANSAMI

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Hurley — A former Saxon, Wis., resident was sentenced to prison on Tuesday afternoon for revocation of probation conditions set on previous drug-related convictions.

Matthew Maslanka, 38, of Hurley, was sentenced by Iron County Judge Patrick Madden. The judge sentenced him to four years of prison, with the first three to be spent in confinement and the fourth year under extended supervision.

Maslanka was given credit for nearly a year spent in jail and will be eligible for the prison system “boot camp” and substance abuse programs.

The judge encouraged him to seek the substance abuse treatment. “If you don’t take advantage of these programs, you will die,” Madden said. “I hope this will cause you to realize what you’re doing to yourself.”

Madden accepted the joint sentencing recommendation of Iron County District Attorney Matthew Tingstad and defense attorney Joseph Rafferty Jr.

A possession of controlled substance pending charge that was scheduled for a Tuesday pre-trial conference was dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Madden said Maslanka was being sentenced for “extreme violations of the rules and common sense.”

Maslanka has been in and out of the court system since his teenage years.