Sentencing delayed again in cocaine case.

June 4, 2018

Rodney Ramthun with defense attorney Kelly Lambert.

Sentencing delayed again in cocaine case.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

HART — The sentencing of a 51-year-old Shelby man who faces serving two to 30 years in prison for convictions of cocaine delivery less than 50 grams and second-offense habitual offender was delayed for a second time Monday, June 4, in 27th Circuit Court.

Rodney Alvin Ramthun, of 4080 W. Baker Rd., pleaded guilty last March.

Ramthun, who was scheduled for sentencing May 7, received an adjournment due to surgery scheduled for the next day. Judge Robert D. Springstead adjourned the sentencing again after his attorney Kelly Lambert made the motion Monday due to Ramthun’s continuing medical treatment.

Sentencing is re-scheduled for July 16 at 9 a.m.

Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon argued that Ramthun needed to be sentenced today. “I have received a lot of calls from the community,” said Bizon. Citizens have urged him to send Ramthun, who is a convicted sex offender, to prison.

“His medical needs can be addressed in prison,” Bizon said. “I move that he be sentenced today.”

Judge Springstead said that Ramthun should be treated “humanely.” However, he warned Ramthun that this is his last adjournment. “The court will be making a decision in one month no matter what,” he said.

“You have other criminal history that does make the court concerned,” the judge said. “If I hear anything, he will be sentenced immediately.”

Judge Springstead also granted Lambert’s request that Ramthun receive a personal recognizance bond after the person who posted his bond revoked it.

“You hired an attorney, so it looks like you’re vested in getting this matter taken care of,” the judge said.

Ramthun 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 Bizon, and his maximum is 30 years.

Ramthun was convicted of assault with a dangerous weapon in March of 2014 in Oceana County, previously stated Judge 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.

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