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Washington man caught with meth, fentanyl gets hefty prison sentence


A Washington man who was found with a multitude of illegal drugs during a traffic stop in Edmunds County last summer was sentenced to 25 years in prison with 12 suspended on the most serious charge.

Jason R. Youngblood, 36, of Federal Way, Wash., pleaded guilty to commission of a felony while in possession of a firearm and two counts of manufacturing, distribution or possession of a controlled substance — one for methamphetamines, the other for  fentanyl.

For commission of a felony while in possession of a firearm, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison with 12 suspended. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison with two suspended on each of the drug charges. The prison terms will be served concurrently, and Youngblood was given credit for 234 days served.

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He was also fined a total of $350 and ordered to make restitution of $4,057 during his Wednesday, March 5 sentencing hearing at the Edmunds County Courthouse in Ipswich.

In exchange for his guilty pleas, a host of other charges were dismissed.

The charges stem from a July 13, 2024, traffic stop during which Youngblood was pulled over by an Edmunds County deputy for going 78 mph in a 65 zone on U.S. Highway 12 near Mina.

Youngblood initially identified himself by a different name, though the deputy soon discovered his true identity, according to information released at the time of his arrest. He also had outstanding warrants in Minnesota and Iowa, according to court records.

A search of Youngblood’s vehicle turned up 527 grams of methamphetamine, 288 grams of fentanyl, 33 grams of heroin, 95 grams of cocaine, 1 gram of ecstasy, 3.5 grams of THC wax and 3.7 ounces of marijuana, according to the Edmunds County Sheriff’s Office.

Various drugs, a pistol, paraphernalia and more were confiscated after a traffic stop along U.S. Highway 12 near Mina on Saturday, 13, 2024. The man charged pleaded guilty to three felony counts in Edmunds County and was sentenced to prison. Photo courtesy of Edmunds County Sheriff's Office.

Various drugs, a pistol, paraphernalia and more were confiscated after a traffic stop along U.S. Highway 12 near Mina on Saturday, 13, 2024. The man charged pleaded guilty to three felony counts in Edmunds County and was sentenced to prison. Photo courtesy of Edmunds County Sheriff’s Office.

Law enforcement also found $2,500 in cash, a loaded pistol, scales, seven cellphones, two computers, a journal and two safes.

Youngblood faced similar charges after being arrested in August 2017 in Butte County when he received a suspended 15-year prison sentence for possession of heroin, driving under the influence and being a habitual offender with three prior crime of violence convictions, according to court records.

Aberdeen woman receives 15 years in prison for sexual contact with child

An Aberdeen woman was sentenced to 15 years in prison and given credit for 172 days served for sexual contact with a child under the age of 16.

Ciara Ochotorena, 32, initially faced more serious charges, including rape and sexual exploitation of a minor. There were two victims, according to court paperwork.

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Those counts were dismissed in exchange for Ochotorena’s guilty plea on the sexual contact charge involving a single victim, a 13-year-old boy. The charge stems from last year. She was fined $117.

In other recent Brown County felony court news:

  • Skylar J. Schumacher, 29, Sioux Falls, pleaded guilty but mentally ill to vehicular battery. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison with three years suspended and fined $492. He must make $5,700 in restitution. In exchange for his guilty pleas, several other charges were dismissed. Vehicle battery is defined in state law by causing serious injury to another person while driving under the influence.
  • Bobby Dale Chrisman, 52, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to unauthorized ingestion of methamphetamine. He received a three-year suspended prison term, must spend 30 days in jail and three years on probation and was fined $806.
  • Yobany Alejandro Lucero Cruz, 28, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to accessory to a felony by somebody with one or two prior felonies. He received 10 years in prison with three years suspended and was given credit for 277 days served. He was fined $117.
  • Jonnie Joyleigh Marie Walking Bull, 21, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to causing bodily injury with indifference to human life. She was given a 15-year prison term, which was suspended. She must spend 30 days in jail and four years on probation and was fined $617.
  • Leona Aldana, 29, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine. She was granted a suspended imposition of sentence. She must spend 60 days in jail, but was granted house arrest/work release. She must spend three years on probation and was fined $617.
  • Rhonda McKee, 46, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to her sixth driving under the influence charge. She was sentenced to six years in prison with credit for 30 days served. She was fined $880.
  • Marcus W. Judd, 40, Aberdeen, pleaded guilty to third-offense driving under the influence. His suspended imposition was revoked, and he was sentenced to 120 days in jail and three years probation. He was fined $1,277.