Man Sentenced In Sawyer County Heroin Bust

SAWYER COUNTY -- The Court has sentenced a man on his convictions stemming from a heroin bust that occurred in January 2020 in Sawyer County.

DrydenWire published a press release in January 2020 from the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office regarding the arrest of James Q. Griffin and the seizure of a large quantity of heroin.

Griffin’s vehicle was stopped by a Sawyer County Sheriff’s Deputy for a traffic violation. A K9 Unit responded to the scene, and after the K9 alerted on Griffin’s vehicle Deputies located marijuana inside the vehicle.

While being booked into the Sawyer County Jail, a baseball-sized ball holding 4 vacuum-sealed baggies was found on Griffin’s person.

According to the criminal complaint filed against Griffin the first baggie contained 64 grams of heroin; the second baggie contained 23.9 grams of meth; the third baggie contained 5 grams of cocaine; the fourth baggie contained 1.9 grams of marijuana.

Griffin was placed on a $100,000 cash bond which was later reduced to $50,000.

Charges of Class C Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin (>50G), Second or Subsequent Offense; Class D Felony Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, Second or Subsequent Offense; Class F Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Cocaine (>1-5G), Second and Subsequent Offense; and Class I Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver THC (Tetrahydrocannabinols)(<=200G), Second and Subsequent Offense were filed against Griffin.

At a hearing on December 21, 2020, the Court ordered a 12-year sentence for Griffin on a conviction of Class C Felony Possession with Intent to Deliver Heroin (>50G) without the penalty enhancer for a second and subsequent offense. His remaining charges were dismissed and read in according to online circuit court records.

Griffin is to serve 6 years confinement in state prison followed by 6 years of extended supervision. Conditions of extended supervision will require Griffin to maintain absolute sobriety complete any counseling and programming deemed appropriate by his Department of Corrections agent; undergo an Alcohol and Other Drug Assessment within 45 days and follow-through with recommendations; and obtain and maintain full-time employment.