Brookings woman sentenced to jail, probation for meth distribution

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BROOKINGS – A Brookings woman was sentenced last week to 60 days in jail and four years of supervised probation for distributing methamphetamine in Brookings last year.

Deborah Palmer, 41, pleaded guilty on Aug. 22 to one count of distributing meth on or about Sept. 10, 2021.

In exchange for the plea, one count of maintaining a place where drugs are sold or kept was dismissed, and the state deferred to the court at sentencing.

Distributing a Schedule I or II substance is a Class 4 felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine and has a mandatory minimum sentence of one year in prison.

At Palmer’s sentence hearing Sept. 20, defense attorney Robert Fite asked Circuit Judge Greg Stoltenburg to depart from that mandatory minimum due to mitigating circumstances in the case. 

Fite said Palmer has two minor children at home, and there is no indication of her selling drugs prior to or after the September 2021 sale, which he called an isolated incident. 

Fite said Palmer had no knowledge of law enforcement’s involvement for four months following the drug sale to a friend, who was a confidential informant. Fite said Palmer is “guilty of being a user, not a dealer” and asked the court to consider house arrest for Palmer rather than sentencing her to the state penitentiary. 

Fite said Palmer accepted responsibility for her actions and had been faithfully participating in the 24/7 drug testing program since December 2021, only having failed once in April. Palmer was also described by her attorney as “remorseful for her actions,” a “good probation candidate” and “motivated to remain drug free.”

Stoltenburg said Palmer was not a good role model and put herself in this position, but he felt she was a good candidate for probation. Stoltenburg said he would deviate from the mandatory minimum sentence because Palmer has no prior felony convictions and a limited misdemeanor history; appears to have taken full responsibility for her actions; is a good candidate for rehabilitation; the distribution appears to be a one-time sale; and she does not pose a significant risk to the public.

Palmer was then sentenced to six years in the state penitentiary.

The prison time was suspended on condition that Palmer pay $800 in fine and court costs, serve four years of supervised probation, and serve 60 days in the Brookings County Detention Center, with work release and credit for six days of pretrial detention. Palmer must remain law abiding; not consume alcohol or illegal drugs; undergo chemical dependency and mental health evaluations and complete any recommended treatment; and pay court-appointed attorney fees and $500 restitution for drug buy money.

Palmer was remanded to the custody of the sheriff’s office.

Contact Alison Simon at asimon@brookingsregister.com.