Mandy Martinson
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
Priors: None
Year sentenced: 2005
Age at sentencing: 28
Projected release date: Oct. 21, 2017
Mandy grew up in a happy home in Mason City, Iowa. She was an honor roll student in high school who went on to excell in college. After graduating, Mandy went to work as a licensed dental hygienist. Mandy had used marijuana and methamphetamine occasionally at parties, but in August 2003 she began using meth every day to escape an abusive relationship. Even after the relationship ended, Mandy was forced to constantly protect herself against her possessive ex-boyfriend. The stress of the domestic violence caused Mandy to slide into what she describes as a “self-destructive rampage,” becoming addicted to methamphetamine and losing her job as a dental hygienist.
In December 2003, Mandy started dating a man who was dealing methamphetamine. They soon moved in together, and though Mandy knew that he was a drug dealer, she did not care because he was kind to her and had drugs and money. Mandy never sold drugs or carried a gun but 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 police investigation since October 2003.
Authorities in California notified the Iowa police that a suspicious package was being sent to the home Mandy shared with her boyfriend. The police 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, police stopped a man after he left Mandy and her boyfriend’s home and found 28 grams of methamphetamine in his vehicle. Police searched the home of another suspected coconspirator and found drug paraphernalia. On January 14, 2004, police searched Mandy and her boyfriend’s home. Police found a duffle bag that belonged to Mandy’s boyfriend containing ten one-pound packages of marijuana and two one-pound packages of methamphetamine “ice.” Officers also found 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 bond 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 he’d given Mandy the gun found next to her purse. According to Mandy, the gun was her boyfriend’s. She was convicted for the drugs and the gun.
Mandy was to be held accountable for all 4,506.9 grams of marijuana and 979.19 grams of methamphetamine attributed to the conspiracy, giving her a sentencing guidelines range of 188-235 months. At sentencing, however, the judge—with the prosecutor’s approval—found that a range of 121-151 months was more appropriate:
[T]he evidence demonstrated that [Mandy] 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, [Mandy’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, the judge was required to give Mandy a mandatory minimum of 120 months each for the conspiracy and possession charges, to run concurrently, and a mandatory 60-month consecutive sentence for the gun charge, for a total sentence of 15 years.
Since her conviction, Mandy has successfully completed numerous additional drug treatment courses and remained drug free. She has been certified to operate heavy equipment, is taking a horticulture class, and is teaching a course on The Purpose Driven Life. Mandy was selected to be a companion to prisoners on suicide watch. “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.”