Mandy Martinson# 02876-029
Federal Sentence: 15 years
Offense: Conspiracy to Distribute 500 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and Marijuana; Possession With Intent to Distribute 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine; Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime
Court: Northern District of Iowa
Priors: None
Year of Birth: 1977
Sentenced: 2005
Projected Release Date: 10/21/2017
Nature of Offense: Mandy had experimented with drugs occasionally at parties, but in August of 2003 she began using methamphetamine heavily every day and after ending a harrowing relationship with an abusive boyfriend who continued to threaten her after the break-up. Mandy quickly became addicted to methamphetamine and slid into a self-described "self-destructive rampage" where she lost her job as a dental hygienist and in December of 2003 started dating a man who was dealing methamphetamine. They quickly moved in together, and though Mandy knew that he was a drug dealer, she did not care because he was kind to her and could support her habit.
Though Mandy says she never sold drugs or carried a gun, she admits that she traveled with her boyfriend when he went to pick up marijuana and one-pound quantities of methamphetamine from his supplier. She also helped him count and bundle money for the drug transactions. Unbeknownst to Mandy, her boyfriend had been under investigation by the North Central Iowa Narcotics Task Force since October 2003. A Hollywood, California drug task force notified the Iowa Task Force that a suspicious package was being sent to the home Mandy shared with her boyfriend. Officials discovered that Mandy’s boyfriend and several others were receiving drugs from California and Des Moines, Iowa, and selling them in the Mason City, Iowa area. On January 5, 2004, the Iowa Task Force learned, through a confidential informant, that one of these suspects was leaving Mandy and her boyfriend’s house with drugs. Police stopped this man after he left Mandy and her boyfriend’s home, and a search of the vehicle revealed 28 grams of methamphetamine. Police searched the home of another suspected coconspirator and discovered drug paraphernalia. On January 14, 2004, police searched Mandy and her boyfriend’s home. Both of them were in the basement, where the police found a duffle bag that belonged to Mandy’s boyfriend and which contained 10 one-pound packages of marijuana and two one-pound packages of methamphetamine “ice.” Officers found more methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia and two handguns. One of these guns was found in a large bag that also contained Mandy’s purse.
Prior to her trial, Mandy was released on her own recognizance and began obtaining drug treatment. When she failed a drug test, the court gave her a second chance, and Mandy was able to complete treatment and begin working as a dental hygienist again. At her trial, her boyfriend testified against her, claiming that her assistance made him a more efficient drug dealer and that the gun found next to Mandy’s purse belonged to Mandy and that he’d given it to her as a gift. According to Mandy, the gun was her boyfriend’s. She was convicted of both the drug and gun charges.
Sentencing Guidelines: According to the presentence investigation report, Mandy was to be held accountable for all 4,506.9 grams of marijuana and 979.19 grams of methamphetamine attributed to the conspiracy. This created a base offense level of 36 which, even with Mandy’s lack of any priors, dictated a guidelines range of 188-235 months. Because Mandy went to trial instead of pleading guilty to an initial offer of a 15-year sentence, she did not receive a reduction for acceptance of responsibility.
At sentencing, however, Judge James Gritzner—with the prosecutor’s approval—found that a guideline range of 121-151 months was more appropriate for Mandy’s involvement in the crime:
"Ms. Martinson’s involvement in this offense became somewhat extensive, but the evidence demonstrated that she was involved due to her drug dependency and her relationship with [her boyfriend] and that she was largely subject to his direction and control . . . Even Ms. Martinson’s possession of the firearm was at the direction of [her boyfriend] and was facilitated by [her boyfriend]. By accepting responsibility and cooperating with the government, the apparent leader of this matter, [Ms. Martinson’s boyfriend], has ultimately received a sentence of 90 months on the conspiracy and 60 months consecutive on the gun charge for a total of 150 months in custody. Under any possible sentence that the law would allow for Ms. Martinson, the sentence will exceed that of [her boyfriend]. Ms. Martinson’s involvement is closer to that of [one of her codefendants] . . . who received a mandatory minimum sentence of 120 months. . . . Upon obtaining reasonable drug treatment and counseling and in the wake of what she is facing now, the Court does not have any particular concern that Ms. Martinson will commit crimes in the future."
Nonetheless, Judge Gritzner was required to give Mandy a mandatory minimum of ten years each for the conspiracy and possession charges, to run concurrently, and a mandatory 5-year consecutive sentence for the gun charge, for a total sentence of 180 months.
Personal Background: Mandy grew up in a happy home in Mason City, Iowa. She graduated from high school on the honor roll, then went on to college, made the dean’s list several times, and graduated. She had a steady work history and became a licensed dental hygienist after college. Since her conviction, Mandy has successfully completed numerous additional drug treatment courses and remained drug free. She has also learned to operate heavy equipment, is taking a horticulture class, and is teaching a course on The Purpose Driven Life. “It is very frustrating to think I may have so many years left in prison,” says Mandy. “I am making the most of my time here, though. I know change is coming. There are just way too many people like me incarcerated for way too long.”
Compiled from Presentence Investigation Report, sentencing transcript, court dockets, and prisoner information 04/27/07 mmg.