Couple gets probation for meth lab, praised for attitude and reform

Talk about it

ARMOUR — A Delmont couple will spend the next three years on probation on two felony controlled substance charges.

Judge Bruce Anderson identically sentenced Brent and Devon Loneman at the Douglas County Courthouse Thursday, with one exception.

Brent Loneman will serve 60 days in jail and Devon Loneman will serve 30 days.

Anderson granted a suspended imposition for both. Should Brent and Devon Loneman follow the terms of their probation for three years, the felony charges will disappear.

Douglas County law enforcement arrested the Lonemans in January after the officers conducted a search warrant of the couple’s residence and found methamphetamine in their home at 306 W. Main St.

The couple pleaded guilty in April to possession of a controlled substance and keeping a place for use or sale of a controlled substance.

Devon Loneman sat with her attorney, Tim Whalen of Lake Andes, and Anderson sentenced her first.

Whalen asked for a suspended imposition of sentence due to the pre-sentence investigation being so positive.

“I was very impressed with the pre-sentence report,” Whalen said. “Rarely do I get to see one that is so honest and so forthright.”

Whalen said Devon Loneman expressed relief at being caught by the police and found that she now had a way out of the hole she and her husband had dug themselves into.

“She was in the hold of the devil with meth and how it had taken her down a very bad path,” Whalen said. “I think she looked at the arrest … as a blessing that pulled her out of that hole. She has now had the chance to get her life turned around and is doing very well.”

The Lonemans have their two non-school-aged children back in their custody, both are working full-time and are clean and sober, according to both Whalen and Brent Loneman’s attorney, Scott Podhradsky .

Podhradsky said Brent Loneman and his wife have great support from their families, friends and co-workers. He also asked for a suspended imposition of sentence for Brent Loneman , who was the instigator of the meth lab in the couple’s garage.

Podhradsky also commented on the positive pre-sentence investigation and why Brent Loneman deserves another chance.

“He recognized his addiction early on and realized they weren’t living the life they wanted to,” Podhradsky said. “He accepted responsibility, saying that it’s not just my meth use affecting me, I brought my wife into this and jeopardized my children.”

Podhrasky said Brent Loneman’s co-workers rallied behind him when he was fired from his job at Ag Land Co-op in Delmont. The customers rallied behind him as well, sending letters to Ag Land that Loneman made a mistake and he’s a good worker.

Neither Brent nor Devon had anything to add during their sentencings.

Judge Anderson noted he thought the pre-sentence investigation was very good and he could “sense an attitude of change” for the couple.

“I’m glad that you took positions that it’s a relief to get caught. Now you can start working on getting rid of the guilt and paranoia because your kids are affected by it,” Anderson said to Devon Loneman, who nodded in agreement. “I’m impressed with it and I hope you can keep up the good work. It’s a difficult road and it’s a long one in recovery.”

Anderson gave both the Lonemans the same conditions: They can serve their jail time on weekends and days off work; jail time must be completed in one year; each must pay a fine of $300, $104 in court costs, reimburse the county for court appointed attorney fees, and reimburse the state drug fund for $202; they cannot consume alcohol, marijuana or controlled substances, or be in a place where these are present; cannot associate with known or convicted drug users; shall successfully complete evaluations, treatment or aftercare suggested by court services; subject to random blood, breath or urine testing; participate in the 24/7 Sobriety Program for 90 days after sentencing; submit to weekly drug testing for first six months of probation.

Tags: news, updates, armour, crime, drugs, meth, courts, jail