MADISON - A former Brodhead man referred to as the "right-hand man" in a methamphetamine conspiracy that trafficked several pounds of the controlled substance was sentenced in federal court Thursday to seven years in prison.
James Nehls, 31, worked for Christopher Dutton of Madison to obtain methamphetamine from California and sell it to addicts in southern Wisconsin from September 2015 to January 2017, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.
The government attributed 1.95 pounds of "ice" or pure methamphetamine and about 9 ounces of a methamphetamine mixture to Nehls.
Dutton severed his close relationship with Nehls when a large methamphetamine shipment was seized by authorities in September 2016. However, Nehls continued to sell the drug until January 2017 and made a trip to Alabama to acquire it.
In April, Nehls, Dutton and six other individuals were indicted for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. All eight members have either since pleaded guilty or have been sentenced.
Due to his role in the conspiracy, the drug quantity and past convictions for theft and driving while intoxicated, Nehls faced a prison sentence of 11 to 14 years under the advisory federal guidelines.
Nehls' attorney Terry Frederick sought a five-year sentence, saying his client had a "rough upbringing" with two alcoholic parents and saw and suffered physical abuse. Nehls' mother died when he was 15 years old and he used methamphetamine in a "self-medicating fashion in response," to being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, "making him more vulnerable to the lifestyle and conduct...in this case," Frederick wrote to the court.
Nehls' "poly substance abuse" figured into his divorce from the person he had been with since high school and was essentially homeless, living in Lone Rock and other locations in recent years, Schlipper said.
Schlipper said Nehls was more involved in the operation and ideas than to simply feed his addiction.
"He may have been one of the founding members of the conspiracy," Schlipper said. "And whether he was the left-hand or right-hand man ... he was involved early on."
Nehls said little when U.S. District Judge William Conley asked if he wanted to address the court.
"What I did was wrong," Nehls said. "I can't change it. I would if I could. I hurt a lot of people."
Conley said Nehls needs to understand the cause of his addictions and would likely be back in court on another charge if he doesn't.
"What's most concerning is you're not wanting to be around your children," Conley said in reference to Nehls' request to be incarcerated as far as possible from Wisconsin.
Conley learned Nehls' father was in the courtroom and acknowledged Nehls' father was an alcoholic who gave up drinking when Conley was a 4-year-old.
The judge went on to say that Nehls needs to understand the impact an alcoholic parent can have on a child.
"It may make a difference in your life and your (three) childrens' (lives)," Conley said.
Conley ordered Nehls to serve his federal sentence consecutive to any sentence he may receive in two misdemeanor bail jumping cases pending in Green County.
Conley noted Nehls' sentence could be set below the advisory guidelines as it would be his first lengthy prison term.
The judge sentenced Dutton to 15 years in prison in October, and earlier this month, sentenced Sean Brown of Encino, California, to 11 years. Others who have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine include Olivia Halvorson, 28, Browntown, to be sentenced Feb. 1; Brandon Frank, 42, Argyle, to be sentenced Tuesday; Sean McLyman, 42, Madison, to be sentenced Jan. 31; Amanda Brown, 30 of Encino, California, who is to be sentenced Dec. 5.; and Joel Ringelstetter, 48, Lone Rock, who is scheduled to plead guilty on Nov. 21.
James Nehls, 31, worked for Christopher Dutton of Madison to obtain methamphetamine from California and sell it to addicts in southern Wisconsin from September 2015 to January 2017, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Schlipper.
The government attributed 1.95 pounds of "ice" or pure methamphetamine and about 9 ounces of a methamphetamine mixture to Nehls.
Dutton severed his close relationship with Nehls when a large methamphetamine shipment was seized by authorities in September 2016. However, Nehls continued to sell the drug until January 2017 and made a trip to Alabama to acquire it.
In April, Nehls, Dutton and six other individuals were indicted for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine. All eight members have either since pleaded guilty or have been sentenced.
Due to his role in the conspiracy, the drug quantity and past convictions for theft and driving while intoxicated, Nehls faced a prison sentence of 11 to 14 years under the advisory federal guidelines.
Nehls' attorney Terry Frederick sought a five-year sentence, saying his client had a "rough upbringing" with two alcoholic parents and saw and suffered physical abuse. Nehls' mother died when he was 15 years old and he used methamphetamine in a "self-medicating fashion in response," to being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, "making him more vulnerable to the lifestyle and conduct...in this case," Frederick wrote to the court.
Nehls' "poly substance abuse" figured into his divorce from the person he had been with since high school and was essentially homeless, living in Lone Rock and other locations in recent years, Schlipper said.
Schlipper said Nehls was more involved in the operation and ideas than to simply feed his addiction.
"He may have been one of the founding members of the conspiracy," Schlipper said. "And whether he was the left-hand or right-hand man ... he was involved early on."
Nehls said little when U.S. District Judge William Conley asked if he wanted to address the court.
"What I did was wrong," Nehls said. "I can't change it. I would if I could. I hurt a lot of people."
Conley said Nehls needs to understand the cause of his addictions and would likely be back in court on another charge if he doesn't.
"What's most concerning is you're not wanting to be around your children," Conley said in reference to Nehls' request to be incarcerated as far as possible from Wisconsin.
Conley learned Nehls' father was in the courtroom and acknowledged Nehls' father was an alcoholic who gave up drinking when Conley was a 4-year-old.
The judge went on to say that Nehls needs to understand the impact an alcoholic parent can have on a child.
"It may make a difference in your life and your (three) childrens' (lives)," Conley said.
Conley ordered Nehls to serve his federal sentence consecutive to any sentence he may receive in two misdemeanor bail jumping cases pending in Green County.
Conley noted Nehls' sentence could be set below the advisory guidelines as it would be his first lengthy prison term.
The judge sentenced Dutton to 15 years in prison in October, and earlier this month, sentenced Sean Brown of Encino, California, to 11 years. Others who have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine include Olivia Halvorson, 28, Browntown, to be sentenced Feb. 1; Brandon Frank, 42, Argyle, to be sentenced Tuesday; Sean McLyman, 42, Madison, to be sentenced Jan. 31; Amanda Brown, 30 of Encino, California, who is to be sentenced Dec. 5.; and Joel Ringelstetter, 48, Lone Rock, who is scheduled to plead guilty on Nov. 21.