Prisoner sentenced to 2-7 years for heroin delivery.

Anthony Priese with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — A 35-year-old Hart man currently lodged in the Muskegon Correctional Facility was sentenced in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Sept. 26, to two to seven years in prison for a conviction of heroin delivery.

Anthony Werner Priese initially faced up to life in prison for a charge of delivery of heroin causing death following the Dec. 8, 2015 death of a 39-year-old Hart woman. That charge was dismissed when he pleaded “no contest” to heroin delivery.

Priese was arrested following an investigation by the State, Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT).

Jami O’Leary was found deceased at approximately 6:41 a.m. Dec. 8, 2015, at 202 Dryden Street in the City of Hart, according to Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

Priese, who has a lengthy criminal history, was recently convicted of felonies of larceny in a building; forgery; and uttering and publishing in Oceana County. He was sentenced by Judge Anthony A. Monton last February to a minimum of one-and-a-half years in prison. Priese testified that he stole someone’s personal checks and cashed them at the Rothbury Tavern last fall. He was sentenced to two concurrent terms of 18 months to 14 years and a concurrent term of 18 months to four years.

His new sentence runs concurrently to the terms he is presently serving, Monton said. Priese received credit for 147 days served in jail.

If the Michigan Department of Corrections determines that he is eligible for Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) or “boot camp,” the court does not oppose placement, Monton said.

Priese’s attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz, said that her client is “turning his life around in prison” by staying drug-free.

“Sir, I would like to say throughout my life I’ve made a lot of bad choices,” Priese said to Monton. “I regret this. I beat myself up about this every day. I’m making positive changes in my life. It’s all looking up from here.”

Sentencing guidelines in the case were 24-38 months, Monton said.