Cd'A man sentenced to 4 years on heroin charge
R Derek Christensen of Coeur d’Alene is going to prison for four years — fixed.
He was caught by police in June with a quarter-ounce of heroin.
The 39-year-old was initially charged with trafficking, which carries a maximum life sentence. It doesn’t matter whether or not Christensen was going to sell the opioid, state law mandates sentences for heroin according to how much a suspect has when they are arrested and Christensen allegedly had around 7 grams.
Christensen was sentenced Monday in First District Court after accepting a plea bargain that amended the charge from trafficking to possession of between 2 and 7 grams of heroin. The amended charge carries a mandatory three-year sentence, compared to 10 years behind bars (and up to life) for having between 7 and 28 grams.
Christensen in November, after pleading guilty to the lesser charge, posted one of his last Facebook entries:
“I am being sentenced to prison February 4th as a result of my recent drug addictions,” Christensen wrote in the post. “I am experiencing inner peace and meaning, likely due to the impending oppression. Our oppressors are within.”
Police arrested Christensen and another man at 2 p.m. June 12 on Ramsey Road near Prairie Avenue in a white 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix with expired registration.
Officers found more than $1,000, 7 grams of heroin, baggies and paraphernalia in the car.
Dillon D. Murphy, 26, the car’s driver who worked construction jobs with Christensen, was found guilty of two misdemeanor paraphernalia charges. He was sentenced in December to 180 days in jail with 170 days credit, one year probation and 16 hours on the sheriff labor program.
Attorney Edward Lawlor said he could not talk about his client’s addiction, but said Christensen had — since his arrest — made a solid effort at reform.
Christensen had enrolled in community addiction programs and drug testing for several months before sentencing.
He told the court he was glad he was arrested because he had been struggling with depression and thought he was going to die.
“I realize the seriousness of my actions and the danger of my choices now, although I didn’t at the time,” he told the court.
His sentence includes a $10,000 fine.