Vanessa Lanthier

IRON MOUNTAIN — An Iron Mountain woman could receive a deferred judgment after pleading guilty to a lesser drug-related charge Monday in Dickinson County Circuit Court.

Vanessa Lanthier, 21, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of heroin, a felony punishable by up to four years in prison.

She initially had been charged with delivery or manufacture of a controlled substance, a 20-year felony. But in exchange for the guilty plea, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristin Kass reduced the charge to possession and recommended sentencing under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.

If granted HYTA status, Lanthier would receive a deferred judgment and be able to remove the felony from her criminal record if she completes probation without violation.

Sentencing is set for July 22.

Lanthier was arrested by the KIND drug team May 22. According to the criminal complaint, she sold suspected heroin to a confidential informant during a controlled transaction in September. The substance later tested positively as heroin, a schedule 1 controlled substance.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 29, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.