# 08162-032
 
Federal Sentence:  135 months (11 years and 3 months)
Offense:  Conspiracy to manufacture 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; Knowingly and intentionally attempting to manufacture 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; 2 counts of conspiracy to possess equipment, chemicals, products and materials used to manufacture a controlled substance  
Court:  Eastern District of Kentucky
Priors:  Two years probation for speeding and driving without a license (2/7/2000); Fined for minor in possession of alcohol and drinking alcohol in public (2/19/2000)
Date of Sentencing:  7/6/2001
Date of Birth:  12/14/1981
Projected Release Date:  9/14/2012
 
Nature of Offense:  Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) had been investigating 'meth cooks' (individuals manufacturing methamphetamine) in Eastern Kentucky for several months when they apprehended two suspected cooks in February of 2001.  Brian Ison was purchasing meth at the cooks' mobile home in Harrodsburg, Kentucky when agents arrived to execute their arrest warrants.  He was consequently arrested with the cooks and five other individuals on the property at the time, including his twin brother.  Brian's name had not surfaced as a known meth cook or dealer during the DEA's investigation and he had only been seen at the home on two occasions during several months of surveillance, but he was nevertheless charged with conspiracy to manufacture meth based on statements provided by informants and codefendants.  While only 11 grams of actual methamphetamine were found on the property at the time of his arrest, Brian was held accountable for the 500 grams of meth allegedly exchanged in the conspiracy.  Brian, a self-proclaimed meth addict, admitted that he had purchased meth from codefendants, but vehemently denied ever manufacturing meth.  He was initially offered a 2-year plea agreement, but turned it down convinced that a jury would find him innocent of the conspiracy charges.  The chief evidence used against Brian at trial was testimony from witnesses claiming they thought they had seen Brian assist in manufacturing meth on a few occasions.  Brian and his twin brother were the only two defendants to take their case to trial. Brian was found guilty and sentenced to 135 months in prison.  His sentence was comparable to those received by the two cooks and even exceeded one of the cooks' sentences by over a year.
 
Guideline Sentence:  Brian was held responsible for 500 grams of methamphetamine, resulting in a base offense level of 32.  Because Brian was on probation at the time of the offense for his driving without a license charge, he was bumped up to a criminal history category of II and received a 135-month sentence.
 
Sentences of Others Involved:  The two individuals labeled as 'cooks' by the DEA received 168 and 117-month sentences.  Brian's twin brother received a 151-month sentence due to a gun enhancement.  The other four codefendants present in the mobile home at the time of the arrest all received sentences that did not exceed 60-months.
 
Judge's Statement: At Brian's sentencing, U.S. District Judge Karl S. Forester stated:
 
"You always hate to have to sentence a young man to a long period of incarceration.  I wish this hadn't happened, but it did, and it's my duty to sentence you, so that's what I'm going to do now"
 
Personal Background:  Brian and his five siblings grew up on a farm in Kentucky.  He reports that he had a happy childhood and was raised in a very loving environment.  Unfortunately, Brian began experimenting with drugs at the age of thirteen and was unable to curtail his use as he got older.  His drug abuse escalated over the years and he became addicted to meth when he was only sixteen years old.  Brian left school before entering the 9th grade and his mom home schooled him for a short period of time until he began to work in the construction industry.  Brian was only 18-years-old when he was arrested for this offense.  His prior criminal involvement was limited to misdemeanor traffic violations and drug offenses.  Brian was engaged and expecting his first child at the time of his arrest.  His daughter is now 4-years-old and suffers from muscular dystrophy.  Brian's family has remained supportive of him and visits him as often as possible. 
 
Compiled from PSR and inmate information.
BA 5/12/06