Although a local 22-year-old may feel marijuana should be legal, he is still going to spend time in jail.
Lee Jordan Hauge, of Mitchell, was sentenced Tuesday to 60 days in jail after pleading guilty to distributing or possession with the intent to distribute marijuana. Hauge and his attorney, Phil Carlson, tried to withdraw the guilty plea they entered earlier in the trial but the motion was denied by Judge Sean O'Brien.
Hauge thought he was misrepresented by the presentence investigation presented in court. Before sentencing, Hauge said that he "feels that he hasn't done anything morally wrong," but said that society has made marijuana a crime.
O'Brien scolded Hauge, telling him his behavior would not help him prior to sentencing and if he didn't take responsibility for his actions, he would be back in front of a judge again.
Hauge was arrested within five weeks of his felony arrest on Jan. 2 for possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor. O'Brien suspended the execution of a five-year sentence. He was also granted work release as part of the sentence. He was ordered to pay $793.86 in court and legal fees and to complete a drug and alcohol evaluation.
