Brian Ison
Sentence: 11 years, 3 months
Offense: Conspiracy to manufacture 500 grams or more of methamphetamine; 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
Priors: Two years probation for speeding and driving without a license (2000); Fined for minor in possession of alcohol and drinking alcohol in public (2000)
Year sentenced: 2001
Age at sentencing: 19
Projected release date: Sept 14, 2012
Brian and his five siblings grew up on a farm in Kentucky. He had a happy childhood and was raised in a very loving environment. Unfortunately, Brian began experimenting with drugs at the age of 13 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 16 years old. Brian left school before entering the 9th grade and his mom home schooled him for a short period of time until he went to work in the construction industry. Though Brian maintained steady employment, his addiction grew worse.
In February 2001, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) apprehended two suspected meth manufacturers as part of a larger investigation. 18-year-old Brian was buying meth at the individuals’ mobile home in Harrodsburg, Kentucky when agents arrived to execute their arrest warrants. Brian was consequently arrested along with the cooks and five other individuals on the property at the time, including his twin brother. Though Brian’s name had not surfaced as a known manufacturer or dealer during the DEA’s investigation and he had only been seen at the home on two occasions during several months of surveillance, 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 admitted that he had purchased meth from codefendants, but vehemently denied ever manufacturing the drug. Brian went to trial and was found guilty. The chief evidence against him was testimony from witnesses claiming they thought they had seen Brian assist in manufacturing meth on a few occasions. Brian, on probation at the time for speeding without a license, was sentenced to 11 years, 3 months in federal prison.
The two individuals who were actually manufacturing meth received 14 years and 9 years, 9 months, respectively. Brian’s twin brother received a 12 year, 7 month sentence due to a gun enhancement. The other four people at the mobile home all received sentences that did not exceed 60 months.
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”
Brian was barely 18 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 young daughter, who suffers from muscular dystrophy, has grown up without her father. Brian’s family has remained supportive of him and visits him as often as possible although they are struggling financially and emotionally without him.