Man, 74, sent to prison for amphetamine delivery.

Albert Padgett with his attorney, Al Swanson, Jr.

Man, 74, sent to prison for amphetamine delivery.

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By Allison Scarbrough. Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 74-year-old Victory Township man was sentenced to one-and-a-half to 14 years in prison Tuesday, Dec. 6, in 51st Circuit Court for second-offense delivery/manufacture of amphetamine.

Albert Charles Padgett, of 3671 N. Stiles Rd., wept as he told Judge Susan K. Sniegowski that he suffers from dementia and memory loss. “I am really not the same person I used to be,” he told the judge.

However, Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola described Padgett as “a highly-involved player in the drug culture here in Mason County,” citing the elderly man’s previous drug convictions.

Spaniola said Padgett obtained the drugs from his 24-year-old great nephew, co-defendant Travis John Gajewski, and then sold them to an undercover narcotics officer.

Both Padgett and Gajweski were arrested last June by the State, Sheriffs’, and Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT).

“It’s a multi-layered offense,” the prosecutor said.

“Since 2009, Mr. Padgett has been in this court numerous times on drug charges,” Spaniola said. “It is high time that Mr. Padgett go to the department of corrections.”

Padgett’s attorney, Al Swanson, Jr., asked the judge for a jail sentence due to his client’s health and memory issues. “My client is a significanly-aged gentlemen,” Swanson said.

“I’m deeply sorry for what has happened,” said Padgett, who asked the judge for mercy.

“I was struck by the fact that Mr. Padgett is 74 years of age,” Sniegowski said, but also cited his four prior felonies, two of which were drug delivery convictions. “A commitment with the Michigan Department of Corrections is appropriate,” she said.

Padgett received credit for 49 days served in jail.

One count of second-offense delivery of tramadol was dismissed.