MONROE — A man who ordered more than 96 grams of methamphetamine from the internet “dark web” was given prison time Sept. 26 on a felony charge of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance near a park.
Brandon Lee Lohaus, 43, Monroe, was sentenced to five years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision as part of a joint plea agreement between Lohaus’ lawyer Philip Brehm and Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen.
Nolen said that while “96 grams is no light amount,” he noted Lohaus has been non-violent in his past offenses, all of which seemed to be the result of having an addiction. Nolen acknowledged a letter of support from Patrick Doyle, Lohaus’ employer, who wrote that Lohaus showed up each day and did his work.
However, Nolen said Lohaus’ prison record was “particularly troubling” and “concerning to the state.” He said past behavior by Lohaus, which included stealing syringes out of the garbage of the health services area to inject others with the attention-deficit drug Adderall, gave the state concern.
Brehm asked that Lohaus be given eligibility for the substance abuse program and echoed Nolen’s comments about Lohaus engaging in stable employment, adding that his client has been in a stable relationship for roughly a decade and that Lohaus and his girlfriend are raising a child together.
He added that Lohaus has never attempted to avoid punishment or blame for his unlawful actions.
“He has the ability to understand he’s made mistakes,” Brehm said. “He understands his behavior will affect getting out and rejoining his family.”
Green County Judge Thomas Vale commended Lohaus for maintaining stable employment, but he also said Lohaus was at an “unfortunate age” to be entering prison and that because Lohaus has been incarcerated before, it was “disappointing” that he hasn’t learned from prior experiences.
Lohaus was arrested in early June 2017 and charged with possession of methamphetamine after an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Inspectors noted a package from San Dimas, California meant to be delivered to Lohaus. When they executed a search warrant on the package, according to the criminal complaint they found a white substance later identified as the illegal drug.
Postal workers notified Lohaus a package had been delivered to him. When he accepted the parcel, Monroe Police officers arrested him immediately.
Lohaus was initially charged with the Class C felony count of possession, six Class H felony counts of bail jumping and four other felonies as well as a misdemeanor charge for possessing drug paraphernalia. Those charges were dismissed, but “read in,” meaning they could be considered as part of the sentencing.
Vale said that while Lohaus hasn’t engaged in violent behavior and is not considered a dangerous person, his drug use “creates dangerous situations,” referencing a hit-and-run Lohaus had previously been involved in. However, he said the charge of intent to sell near a park was also unfortunate because of the proximity of the Monroe Post Office to the park around the Green County Courthouse.
“It isn’t as though you were selling drugs on the playground to children,” Vale said.
He added that the legal recommendation of 6 to 8 years for the charge was not greatly different than the joint recommendation.
“You are not the most dangerous person, so I don’t think it warrants the harshest punishment,” Vale said.
