Stearns County woman pleads guilty to methamphetamine crimes in Polk County – Grand Forks Herald

POLK COUNTY, Minn. – A Sartell, Minnesota woman pleaded guilty Monday, Oct. 28, to selling methamphetamine and driving under the influence in Polk County.

Sonja Robin Plantz, 42, pleaded guilty to first-degree felony sale of at least 17 grams of methamphetamine in a 90-day period and fourth-degree felony driving under the influence of a controlled substance.

This crime carries a maximum sentence of 30 years, although Minnesota sentencing guidelines recommend between 56 and 150 months.

An additional first-degree charge, with an enhanced penalty due to a previous drug-related conviction, is expected to be dismissed.

A proposed plea deal states that the state would seek the minimum prison sentence, and that the defense would be free to argue for a variance from that.

Plantz was arrested

in March and because of her behavior and the way she answered questions — vague and with inconsistent answers — the officer suspected she was involved in criminal activity, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in the case.

A K-9 detected a controlled substance odor; Plantz allegedly admitted to having methamphetamine in her car and using it that morning. A later drug test confirmed this.

Her vehicle was searched and police found a bag of suspected methamphetamine, the statement said. The bag was tested in practice and gave a positive result. It weighed 3.8 grams.

Plantz told police she agreed to sell an ounce of methamphetamine to someone in Polk County for $600, the affidavit said. When she was apprehended, Plantz was returning from selling methamphetamine in Winger.

She said she had bought three ounces the previous day from someone in Monticello, Minnesota, and sold two ounces to a man at a rest stop near Clearwater.

The verdict is scheduled for February 6 at 9 a.m.