Ironwood man gets 15 years in prison for drug charges

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Bessemer - An Ironwood man was sentenced to between 15 and 30 years in prison on drug charges in Gogebic County Circuit Court Tuesday, in recognition of what Judge Michael Pope said was his leading role in bringing methamphetamine to the Gogebic Range.

"From that record it is very apparent to this court that the only way to deal with Mr. Schmiege is to incarcerate him for the protection of society," Pope said, referring to Jeffrey Elton Schmiege's past criminal record of nine felonies and six misdemeanors prior to the charges he was sentenced on Tuesday. "I would note that, with respect to the facts in this particular incident, that Mr. Schmiege was the leader in an operation that entailed the bringing of methamphetamine from Minnesota to Gogebic County, Michigan. That scheme entailed numerous trips by Mr. Schmiege and others to Minnesota to obtain (drugs) - in rather large quantities on occasion - and bring them back, divvy them up and distribute them to people within Gogebic County; as well as outside this area."

Schmiege, 48, was sentenced to serve at least 15 years in prison for possession with intent to deliver meth and conspiracy to deliver meth. He was also sentenced to between two and three years in prison for maintaining a drug house. He received a jail credit of 206 days for time already served.

Schmiege will serve the sentences for the three charges concurrently.

He was arrested in July following the Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team's search of a Tamarack Street, Ironwood, house.

The search resulted in the discovery of "large quantities of crystal meth, prescription medication, marijuana, a firearm and ammunition," according to a GIANT press release at the time.

He pleaded guilty to the charges in December.

Gogebic County Prosecutor Nick Jacobs argued for a sentence based on the upper end of the Michigan State Police's sentencing guidelines of between 87 and 181 months in prison - or 7.25 to 15 years -for each of the two most serious charges Schmiege was sentenced for.

"He's been a meth user for 20 years, he's obviously the poster child of being a meth abuser and look at the mess it has gotten him into," Jacobs said. "He's the equivalent of a fast food restaurant chain - only the happy meals he's been selling don't have burgers and fries with them; they contain meth, needles and pipes."

Schmiege's attorney, Antonio Ruiz, asked for a more lenient sentence starting at 10 years in prison.

Ruiz said that was in line with other sentences in the case and disputed the characterization Schmiege was the leader of the operation.

"That is consistent with the other co-defendants. I don't think Mr. Schmiege, based on a review of the facts, was any more or less culpable than them," Ruiz said.

Ruiz argued Schmiege had been employed but turned to selling meth after he lost his job because he needed to support his family. Even with a 10-year sentence, Ruiz said Schmiege's two sons will grow up without their father.

He also cited Schmiege's age, and said he may not survive a longer sentence.

"I think a 10-year penalty, and I hope the court would agree, would be substantial," Ruiz said. "Mr. Schmiege may not make it if a 15-year penalty were imposed."

Schmiege is the fifth defendant in the case sentenced to prison.

John Phillip Thomas, 31, of Mercer; Jeffrey Thomas Gorecki, 45, of Ironwood and Ryan Frank Reinhard, 30, of Ironwood, all were sentenced to 10 years in prison. Jenifer Lynn Powell, 34, of Ironwood, was sentenced to just over six years - 75 months - in prison.

Two other co-defendants - Jakob Wayne Applekamp, 28, of Hurley, and David Wayne Opsahl, 45, of Big Lake Minn., are awaiting sentencing.