MADISON - A Browntown woman who conspired with others to sell 3 pounds of methamphetamines was sentenced Thursday in federal court to 4.5 years in prison and three years of supervised release.
Olivia Halvorson, 29, had been addicted to methamphetamine before becoming an important part of an eight-person conspiracy that acquired the controlled substance in California and sold it in southern Wisconsin and Iowa from at least November 2015 to February 2017, according to court documents.
Halvorson went from buying methamphetamine to selling it for Christopher Dutton, Madison, who the government said headed the conspiracy.
Halvorson gave away methamphetamine to recruit customers for Dutton, collected money from methamphetamine sales and traveled to Iowa with Dutton to buy and collect money from other customers, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper. When Dutton no longer trusted James Nehls of Brodhead to contact customers, Dutton asked Halvorson to introduce Brandon Frank, Argyle, around so he could take over Nehls' duties for the conspiracy, according to court documents.
"Dutton did take advantage of her but although she pushed back against authority most of her life, she willing(ly) did what Dutton wanted" to keep her meth addiction fed, Schlipper told District Judge William Conley.
Kelly Welsh, Halvorson's attorney, sought a 2.5-year sentence, saying it was warranted because it was her first federal felony and prison sentence despite using drugs or alcohol since she was 12. What Halvorson really needed was to find herself worthy enough to stay away from drugs and abusive relationships, Welsh added.
Halvorson told Conley that she took full responsibility for her crimes and wanted to use her time in prison to "become mom (to her two daughters), daughter and girlfriend."
Conley replied that until Halvorson can stay away from drugs, being around her daughters "will not be a positive for them."
Halvorson tested positive twice for cocaine while out on bond after being indicted, an indication of how serious her addiction is, Conley said.
Halvorson faced eight to 10 years under advisory sentencing guidelines, but Conley said 4.5 years would give her time to get treatment for the addictions that "make her a danger to herself and those around her."
Halvorson is the seventh person in the conspiracy to plead guilty and be sentenced. Dutton was sentenced to 15 years; Nehls was sentenced to seven years; Frank was sentenced to 12 years, four months; Sean McClyman, Madison, was sentenced to four years, eight months; and Sean and Amanda Brown of California were sentenced to 11 years and 2.5 years, respectively. Joel Ringelstetter of Lone Rock is scheduled for trial on Feb. 14.
Justin Kohl, Madison, was not indicted with the eight co-conspirators but is scheduled for trial on April 9 for allegedly conspiring with Dutton and Frank to sell methamphetamine.
Olivia Halvorson, 29, had been addicted to methamphetamine before becoming an important part of an eight-person conspiracy that acquired the controlled substance in California and sold it in southern Wisconsin and Iowa from at least November 2015 to February 2017, according to court documents.
Halvorson went from buying methamphetamine to selling it for Christopher Dutton, Madison, who the government said headed the conspiracy.
Halvorson gave away methamphetamine to recruit customers for Dutton, collected money from methamphetamine sales and traveled to Iowa with Dutton to buy and collect money from other customers, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper. When Dutton no longer trusted James Nehls of Brodhead to contact customers, Dutton asked Halvorson to introduce Brandon Frank, Argyle, around so he could take over Nehls' duties for the conspiracy, according to court documents.
"Dutton did take advantage of her but although she pushed back against authority most of her life, she willing(ly) did what Dutton wanted" to keep her meth addiction fed, Schlipper told District Judge William Conley.
Kelly Welsh, Halvorson's attorney, sought a 2.5-year sentence, saying it was warranted because it was her first federal felony and prison sentence despite using drugs or alcohol since she was 12. What Halvorson really needed was to find herself worthy enough to stay away from drugs and abusive relationships, Welsh added.
Halvorson told Conley that she took full responsibility for her crimes and wanted to use her time in prison to "become mom (to her two daughters), daughter and girlfriend."
Conley replied that until Halvorson can stay away from drugs, being around her daughters "will not be a positive for them."
Halvorson tested positive twice for cocaine while out on bond after being indicted, an indication of how serious her addiction is, Conley said.
Halvorson faced eight to 10 years under advisory sentencing guidelines, but Conley said 4.5 years would give her time to get treatment for the addictions that "make her a danger to herself and those around her."
Halvorson is the seventh person in the conspiracy to plead guilty and be sentenced. Dutton was sentenced to 15 years; Nehls was sentenced to seven years; Frank was sentenced to 12 years, four months; Sean McClyman, Madison, was sentenced to four years, eight months; and Sean and Amanda Brown of California were sentenced to 11 years and 2.5 years, respectively. Joel Ringelstetter of Lone Rock is scheduled for trial on Feb. 14.
Justin Kohl, Madison, was not indicted with the eight co-conspirators but is scheduled for trial on April 9 for allegedly conspiring with Dutton and Frank to sell methamphetamine.