Meth dealer sentenced to 3-20 years in prison.

Walter Geistel and his attorney, Timothy Hayes, last October.
– OCP file photo

Meth dealer sentenced to 3-20 years in prison.

#OceanaCountyCrime

By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.

HART – A 27-year-old Morley, Michigan man was sentenced to three to 20 years in prison Monday, Dec. 16, in 27th Circuit Court for a conviction of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, according to Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.

Walter Patrick Geistel III, 27, of 21616 1 Mile Rd., pleaded guilty to the charge, Oct. 7. Geistel testified before Judge Robert D. Springstead that he sold meth to an undercover State, Sheriffs’ Chiefs Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) officer last March in downtown Hesperia.

Geistel may be allowed to enter Special Alternative Incarceration (SAI) or “boot camp” after he serves some time in prison. Judge Robert D. Springstead said he may agree to boot camp after the Michigan Department of Corrections evaluates whether he qualifies and after Geistel has served a portion of his sentence, Bizon said.

Geistel testified in October that he had “a little under a half ounce” of meth. “I delivered to an undercover officer.” He said that he sold 12 grams for $200.

“Were you a user?” The judge asked. “Yes,” he replied. “For how long?” the judge asked. “I started a few years ago,” he answered.

“How did you get started?” Springstead queried. “I picked the wrong path,” Geistel said.

Geistel said he lost a job making $50,000-$60,000 a year because of meth. “When I lost my job, I started selling.”

One charge of manufacture/distribution of an imitation controlled substance was dismissed.

Possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

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