TYLER CAMPBELL

IRON MOUNTAIN — A Kingsford man convicted on drug charges Aug. 22 will spend a minimum of four years and nine months in prison.

Tyler Campbell, 26, was sentenced Tuesday in Dickinson County Circuit Court to as many as 30 years for the delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine, a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison; and possession of heroin, a four-year felony.

Campbell was convicted as a two-time habitual offender, which increased the maximum penalty 1 1/2 times.

Defense attorney Greg Seibold described Campbell as an addict who sold methamphetamine to support his own habit.

“He accepts responsibility for his actions and is, I believe, remorseful and frustrated with his addiction,” Seibold said.

Dickinson County Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Richards said it was apparent Campbell struggled with controlled substance abuse and acknowledged his desire for treatment.

“Unfortunately,” Richards said, “Mr. Campbell is an example of what can happen to someone with what amounts to a fairly minimal prior record who gets caught selling methamphetamine.”

Addressing the court, Campbell said he had previously spent five months at a rehabilitation center and been treated with Suboxone and other medications.

“When my insurance cut out, I immediately started withdrawing,” Campbell said. “I came home and jumped right back into (substance abuse).”

Campbell apologized to the court and said he intended to seek treatment again while in prison.

Dickinson County Circuit Court Judge Mary Barglind accepted Campbell’s apology but asked he show sincerity through sobriety.

“The majority of our time in the criminal court these days is spent dealing with people that are addicted to methamphetamine and heroin,” Barglind said, adding, “It is the ugliest thing I have ever seen.”

According to the criminal complaint, Campbell was a passenger in a motor vehicle stopped by Iron Mountain police April 19. He was arrested on a valid bench warrant.

Campbell had a digital scale, the complaint stated, and police advised he disclose any contraband before entering the Dickinson County Jail. When officers told Campbell he would be strip-searched, he revealed packets of methamphetamine and heroin, the complaint stated.

Campbell initially pleaded not guilty May 20 but was rearraigned Aug. 22.

In exchange for Campbell’s guilty plea to the methamphetamine and heroin charges, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristin Kass dismissed a count of furnishing contraband to prisoners, a five-year felony.

Kass also agreed to forego charging additional counts of the manufacture or delivery of methamphetamine in separate files.

Brian Christensen can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 229, or bchristensen@ironmountaindailynews.com.