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Rodney Ramthun, left, and defense attorney Kelly Lambert.
Sentencing delayed in cocaine case.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.
HART — A 51-year-old Shelby man, who is a registered sex offender, faces serving two to 30 years in prison for convictions of cocaine delivery less than 50 grams and second-offense habitual offender.
Rodney Alvin Ramthun, of 4080 W. Baker Rd., pleaded guilty last March in 27th Circuit Court. Ramthun, who was scheduled for sentencing Monday May 7, received an adjournment due to surgery scheduled for Tuesday May 8.
He was arrested last November in Shelby Township on two counts of cocaine delivery less than 50 grams, one count of delivery/manufacture of marijuana and fourth-offense habitual offender. The other charges were dismissed when he pleaded guilty. In exchange for his plea, Ramthun’s minimum prison time will be capped at two years, said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon, and his maximum is 30 years.
Judge Robert D. Springstead postponed Ramthun’s sentencing and continued his bond with the condition he passes a drug test Monday. If he fails, his bond will be revoked and he will be incarcerated. Since he is prescribed medical marijuana for treatment and has a medical card, marijuana will not be included in the drug test.
Sentencing is re-scheduled for June 4 at 9 a.m.
Ramthun’s attorney, Kelly Lambert, recommended a one-year jail sentence as opposed to a prison term.
“There is no violence here, no weapons, and Mr. Ramthun was cooperative with law enforcement during his arrest,” Lambert said. “It was a drug transaction — nothing more. One year would be appropriate.”
Bizon disagreed with Lambert, arguing for the two-year minimum and citing Ramthun’s four prior felonies, three of which are of a sexual nature.
“I’ve received many calls from people in the community who do not believe it’s enough,” Bizon said. “Many people in the community believe it’s time for Mr. Ramthun to leave the community.”
“The prison system has medical capabilities,” the prosecutor said, in reference to his pending surgery. “Mr. Ramthun has continually tried to delay this sentence, and it’s time for Mr. Ramthun to be sentenced today.”
Ramthun emotionally addressed the court, citing the “the hurt and the damage that I have done to my girlfriend and my family.”
“I’m just getting too old for this stuff,” he said. “I’ve been trying to do the best I can the last 10 years. This isn’t the life I want. I got caught back up into stuff and didn’t know how to get out of it.”
Ramthun said he has been working with counselors at Community Mental Health.
“I would just like the chance to get my life back on track.”
Ramthun was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in March of 2014 in Oceana County, previously stated Judge Robert D. Springstead. He is also convicted of two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Oceana County in 1996 and 1995.
Sentencing guidelines in the case are 5-46 months, he said.
Ramthun’s co-defendant, 19-year-old Brent Douglas Krauss, pleaded guilty to three counts of cocaine delivery and was sentenced to 11 months in jail.
This story is copyrighted © 2018, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.
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