Meth bust defendants sentenced
Two co-defendants involved in a meth bust were sentenced in U.S. District Court in Marquette Wednesday.
Justin Saari, 31, of Ishpeming was one of four defendants charged in a meth bust in Ishpeming in November of last year. He was sentenced to 63 months in prison on one count of conspiracy to manufacture or deliver meth. He will have three years of supervised release after he serves his prison sentence.
In court Wednesday, Saari’s attorney argued for a reduced sentence. His attorney also tried to argue that Saari was not as involved in the meth dealing as his co–defendants, Chad and Kelly Warlin. Judge R. Allan Edgar overruled the argument.
Saari told the judge he wants to take responsibility for his actions and knew that they were illegal. He requested–and was granted–drug and mental health treatment in prison.
Patrizia Benstrom, 60, was sentenced to 70 months in prison for supplying the Warlins with Sudafed that was used to manufacture meth.
She will receive mental health and substance abuse treatment in prison and will be under supervised release for three years.
Judge Edgar reduced her sentence from the recommended 84 months, but said he still needed to protect the public.
The Warlins were sentenced to prison in August.
The group was arrested by the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team in November 2012 at a residence on 7th Street in Ishpeming.