(Orange City)– A Spirit Lake man faces up to 75 years in prison after a Sioux county jury found him guilty of various charges earlier this week.
50-year-old Danny Frerichs was convicted after about two and-a-half hours of deliberations.
Frerichs was found guilty of possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver; a drug tax stamp violation; and operating a motor vehicle while under the influence.
Frerichs was found to be in possession of a half pound of methamphetamine along with items used to sell the drug during a traffic stop in March of last year on Highway 60 in Sioux county. The drugs had an estimated street value of seven thousand dollars. A subsequent search of his home in Spirit Lake resulted in the discovery of additional evidence of drug trafficking.
The charge of possession of meth with the intent to deliver carries a mandatory sentence of 25 years in prison. But because this is Frerichs’ second such conviction, the judge could sentence him to three times the usual sentence.
Frerichs has also been convicted of cocaine trafficking in Florida.
He also faces charges in Emmet and Dickinson counties.
Sentencing for Frerichs is set for 1:00 p.m. March 22nd in Sioux County District Court.
He remains in the Sioux county jail.
