Monroe
Prosecutor Beth Hand: “The amount of fentanyl possessed by Monroe is the most I have seen in my time here in Mason County.”
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
LUDINGTON — A 32-year-old man was sentenced to three concurrent prison terms in Mason County’s 51st Circuit Court Tuesday, Dec. 9, for dealing methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine.
Matthew Steven Monroe was sentenced for felony convictions of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver 50 grams or more of fentanyl, and possession with intent to deliver less than 50 grams of cocaine, along with misdemeanors of operating a vehicle without insurance and operating a vehicle with an improper plate.
Monroe pleaded guilty just as opening arguments of his jury trial were set to begin, Sept. 10.
Judge Susan K. Sniegowski sentenced Monroe Tuesday to 120 months (12 years) to 20 years; 80 months to 20 years; and 23 months to 20 years for the three felony convictions and one year in jail and 90 days in jail for the misdemeanors. He received credit for 573 days served in jail.
The charges arose from a traffic stop by the Michigan State Police on May 16, 2024, according to Mason County Prosecuting Attorney Beth Hand.
“Monroe’s car was impounded because it was uninsured and when searched officers found approximately eight ounces of methamphetamine, eight ounces of fentanyl and 40 grams of cocaine in the trunk,” Hand said previously.
“The amount of fentanyl possessed by Monroe is the most I have seen in my time here in Mason County,” Hand said. “There are 28.3 grams in each ounce; multiply that by eight for the methamphetamine and fentanyl, and we are talking about a significant quantity of these illegal and dangerous drugs. Drugs are frequently sold to users in gram or half gram quantities — sometimes more, sometimes even less. Had Monroe not been stopped, the number of people who would have been affected by these oftentimes fatal drugs would have been staggering.
“Drug dealers who think they can bring this poison into our county should think again. I intend to hold them accountable and see that they are punished to the furthest extent of the law.”
Hand said the investigation and prosecution was a joint effort of the Michigan State Police, the State, Sheriff, Chief Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT), a multi-jurisdictional drug task force, and the Mason County Sheriff’s Office.
“As always, I deeply appreciate the effort and dedication of our law enforcement in getting drugs off our streets and making our county a safer place to live and work.”
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