KANSAS CITY — A 47-year-old Ottawa man was sentenced Wednesday to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking in methamphetamine. Two other people were also sentenced in connection with the case. James New pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said. New admitted that from December 2010 to March 2012, he and others conspired to distribute methamphetamine in Franklin County, Grissom said. When law enforcement officers stopped his car on March 21, 2012, they seized methamphetamine, scales, plastic baggies and more than $22,000 in cash. Investigators learned that New was spending $10,000 for 10 ounces of methamphetamine twice a week and distributing it to customers in Franklin County, he said. Co-defendant Jessica Blackstone was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Co-defendant Nicholas Griffin was sentenced to more than six years.
