The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Local News

November 13, 2008

Commerce woman receives probation for marijuana sales

By Roger McKinney

rmckinney@joplinglobe.com

COLUMBUS, Kan. — Cherokee County District Judge Kent Lynch on Thursday sentenced a Commerce, Okla., woman to 18 months on probation with intensive supervision.

Carrie Dawn Freeman, 25, pleaded guilty last month to felony sale of marijuana and felony use of a communication facility to arrange for the sale or purchase of marijuana. The incidents happened July 9, 2007.

Steven Wilhoft, an assistant state attorney general, argued for a prison sentence, saying Freeman was part of organized drug activity.

Freeman faced a possible sentence of a year and three months in prison.

During her sentencing hearing, Chris Farris, a Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent, testified that while working undercover, he purchased 4 ounces of marijuana for $240. On another occasion, he purchased 10 ounces of marijuana from Freeman, costing $450. Farris said the sales took place at the Baxter Springs Sonic Drive-In, where Freeman was employed and remains employed.

Farris said he had arranged for a third purchase when Freeman was arrested.

Freeman’s attorney, Eddie Battitori, told Lynch that his client had informed him before the hearing that she is pregnant.

“I’m sorry I was ever involved in this,” Freeman, crying, told the judge.





‘Bad decision’



“I’m not a bad person. I’ve never been a bad person. I just made a bad decision.”

— Statement by Carrie Dawn Freeman to the judge at her sentencing Thursday

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