Wanamingo woman sentenced in meth case

A 46-year-old Wanamingo woman on Friday began a six-month jail sentence after pleading guilty in November to felony drug charges.

Cheryl Lynn Ford was convicted Nov. 16 of first-degree possession of methamphetamines, a charge that carries a 30-year maximum prison sentence.

Judge Thomas Bibus stayed a prison sentence of more than seven years as part of a plea bargain. Lesser drug-related charges were dismissed as part of an agreement reached between attorneys.

Under the agreement, Ford will serve the jail sentence as part of her 10-year probationary period. Assistant Goodhue County Attorney Stephen O'Keefe said the 86-month prison sentence could be executed if Ford violates probation.

Ford was among three people arrested Nov. 6, 2008, when Goodhue County sheriff's investigators executed a search warrant at her residence.

According to a criminal complaint, investigators found 64 grams of meth in a bedroom where Ford and another suspect, Donnie Wayne Knott, were found. Drug scales, paraphernalia and baggies also were found in the room.

Officers also arrested Ford's daughter, Cassandra Ford, at the scene. Investigators reportedly found $417 in cash and trace amounts of meth in the younger Ford's bedroom.

Cassandra Ford, 21, was convicted in August 2009 of fifth-degree drug possession. She also is serving a 180-day jail sentence as part of her probation, which lasts five years.

O'Keefe said all charges in the against Knott case - which included first-degree meth possession - were dismissed.

Tags: crime and courts, cheryl lynn ford, news, wanamingo