MICHELLE WITHERS

IRON MOUNTAIN — An Iron Mountain woman originally accused of selling drugs near a school pleaded guilty Monday to a methamphetamine charge.

Michelle Withers, 32, was rearraigned Monday in Dickinson County Circuit Court so she could enter the new plea on delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

In exchange for her guilty plea, Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Richards agreed to dismiss a charge of possession of a controlled substance on school property, a 20-year felony.

A second file in which Withers was charged with distributing a controlled substance imitation — a two-year felony — also was dismissed.

Dickinson County Circuit Court Judge Christopher Ninomiya set sentencing for Sept. 23.

Withers initially had pleaded not guilty to the charges July 8.

According to the criminal complaint, Withers sold methamphetamine Dec. 12 to a confidential informant during a controlled transaction within 1,000 feet of Iron Mountain High School. Laboratory tests confirmed the substance as methamphetamine, the complaint stated.

Withers also reportedly sold a substance presented as methamphetamine to a confidential informant during a controlled transaction Dec. 19. Further analysis showed the possible presence of methamphetamine, but no identification could be made due to insufficient concentration, the second complaint stated.

Withers was arrested June 3 by the KIND drug team.