Meth suspect pleads
Latest in string of recent convictions
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HOUGHTON -- A 26-year old Houghton County man pleaded no contest Monday to possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a drug house. This plea comes as several sentences were handed down for the delivery and manufacturing of methamphetamine in 12th Circuit Court by Judge Brittany Bulleit in the last few weeks.
Houghton County Prosecutor Dan Helmer said the recent convictions have been a joint effort with the County Prosecutor's office and UPSET, which works on drug trafficking cases.
"Recently, we have had quite a few meth traffickers end up in prison – some of them for the first time, despite a lengthy history involving the selling of controlled substances," he said in a statement Wednesday. "Often, taking down leaders in those situations require cooperation from lower-level individuals who are often addicts."
Dustin Palosaari appeared in court Monday on bond for his final pretrial hearing. The original jury trial was scheduled for Sept. 9, but was waived in favor of a plea deal dropping the initial manufacturing and delivery of methamphetamine charge.
Palosaari's attorney, David Gemignani, said his client wishes to plead no contest due to his medical history, informing the court the fact Palosaari cannot recall past events or remember dates properly. This would prevent a fair and accurate jury trial.
At several points in the hearing, Palosaari had trouble remembering when he stopped outpatient treatment at the Phoenix House.
Helmer said there is no need for jail time before the sentencing and his bond will be upheld. Gemignani said Palosaari is under a lot of external pressure, due to family medical issues, as well as holding a full-time job and attempting to pursue treatment for meth use.
Palosaari said he decided to not pursue treatment because of a lack of time. Bulleit said the excuse was "a red flag." She said she is not ordering Palosaari to go to treatment, although she would highly recommend he looks back into it.
"Likely part of your probation is going to be looking into whether treatment continues," she said. "I would recommend you look back into getting treatment, I'm not wording it right now because I don't know if that was a recommendation of your counselor or not."
In his statement, Helmer said he and his office want to eradicate the drug trafficking affecting this region.
"Each case is evaluated on an individual basis," he said. "The ultimate goal of my office is to decapitate meth trafficking rings here in the Copper Country and make an example out of those who would poison our community and ruin lives."
Palosaari is set to be sentenced on Sept. 14 in 12th Circuit Court. He faces up to 12 years for both of his charges.