CLEARFIELD – A Houtzdale woman pleaded guilty Monday for her part in a drug ring that reportedly brought up to $1.5 million in drugs to the area.
Sondra L. McQuillen, 56, who has been incarcerated since her arrest in 2018, was bringing methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs from a source in Akron, Ohio.
She began selling drugs with her boyfriend, Don Mullens, and continued after his drug overdose in May of 2018. She was stopped on a return trip home in July of 2018 with meth and other drugs for which she paid $3,800, according to grand jury testimony.
McQuillen pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance (meth and cocaine), conspiracy/possession with intent to deliver, criminal use of a communication facility, dealing in proceeds of unlawful acts and corrupt organizations, all felonies, before Judge Paul E. Cherry.
Her attorney, George Newman, argued for a lesser sentence than the 12-year minimum agreed to, due to her health.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Michael Madeira agreed with this because she cooperated with the investigation even before her arrest.
She testified before the grand jury and in last week’s trial for her drug source, James Thomas, 52, of Akron, Ohio, which led to him being convicted on all charges.
Her story remained consistent, he said, and she never asked for a lesser sentence.
Madeira asked that she be given a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison instead of 12.
Newman gave details on her health and asked for time served with a long period of probation, pointing out that she has already served about 42 months.
He stated that she is “going to die” if she stays incarcerated much longer.
Cherry sentenced her to a total of 10 to 20 years in state prison, noting that she will be eligible for the early release program. This would mean she could be released in less than five years.
Prior to sentencing, McQuillen stated that she knew what she did was wrong and that she is sorry.
For more information on the Thomas trial, click here.