Sentences handed down in two meth cases

MARQUETTE — Two more meth suspects were given their sentences Friday in Marquette County Circuit Court.

39–year–old Bradley Helsten of Ishpeming was sentenced to 51 months to 20 years in prison with credit for 111 days served. Helsten pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture or deliver meth in late May. His history of addiction issues was discussed during the proceedings.

“Mr. Helsten, I do hope sincerely that this time incarcerated may give you the period of sobriety that you’ve needed to maintain that in your life, and that when you return to the community that you can perhaps live a sober and a safer lifestyle,” said Circuit Cour Judge Jennifer Mazzuchi.

Helsten was arrested along with 51–year–old Gerald Humphreys Jr. in connection to a meth lab found on Cleveland Avenue in Ishpeming in March. Humphreys was given prison time last week.

27–year–old Ryan Barry of Marquette was given 18 months probation plus six months in jail. He was given credit for 70 days served despite an objection by his attorney to the jail time calculation.

As part of his probation, Barry is prohibited from having contact with individuals with felony records. A request was made to allow Barry’s girlfriend and co–defendant Emily McCullum to be an exception to that requirement.

“If you choose to be involved with this person and continue your relationship, you probably will be back here in court,” Mazzuchi said. “I’m not going to tell you that you can’t be in — continue to be involved with your girlfriend, but for either one of you coming before this court, I would tell you the same thing. Probation is an opportunity for you to decide whether you want to come back to court and go to jail again or use the services through probation to take your life in another direction.”

Barry was arrested April 25th along with McCullum on outstanding warrants. Police found meth production components inside the vehicle they were occupying at the time, which also led to the arrest of two other occupants. A search warrant subsequently led to the discovery of more meth lab components in Ishpeming.