Drug suspect avoids trial by entering guilty plea

BESSEMER — An Ironwood man has avoided a jury trial by pleading guilty to a pair of felony charges.

Richard Vlach, 61, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver meth and resisting/obstructing an officer. Two other drug charges were dropped as a result of a plea agreement.

The drug charge has a maximum penalty of up to 20-years in prison. Vlach was arrested in March after members of the Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team (GIANT) seized nine grams of crystal meth and numerous prescriptions from him.

Vlach will be sentenced in Gogebic County Circuit Court October 3.