(Sioux City)– Sentencing of a former Spirit Lake man on federal drug charges has been delayed after additional information was presented at a hearing Wednesday in U-S District Court in Sioux City.
Judge Mark Bennett says he wants more time to consider the new information, saying it could have a bearing on the sentence. He gave attorneys ten days to file written briefs. A new sentencing date hasn’t been set.
At issue is how much anhydrous ammonia was in a 20-pound canister Wendelsdorf had collected and the amount of methamphetamine it could have produced. Prosecutors say there was about two gallons of ammonia in the tank; defense attorneys say it was much less. Judge Bennett will review evidence and testimony from the trial to make a determination. Once that’s done, another hearing will be scheduled.
A jury found Wendelsdorf guilty in August, 2005 of one count of conspiracy to distribute five grams or more of a controlled substance. Court records state that Wendelsdorf was involved in an operation from January, 2001 through November 5th, 2003 with Jason and Joel Storey of Spencer, allegedly helping them make meth and sell it in the Spencer area.
The Storeys are currently serving sentences on drug and weapons charges.
Wendelsdorf, who was acquitted in another drug conspiracy, was also acquitted of murder in the 2000 beating death of two-year-old Shelby Duis. The girl’s mother, Heidi Watkins, was convicted of child endangerment and was sentenced to 50 years in prison.
