Former defense attorney sentenced to 3 years probation in Ann Arbor drug case
A former Brighton defense attorney who admitted he provided cocaine at his Ann Arbor apartment the day an Ypsilanti woman died there of a drug overdose was sentenced to three years of probation today.
Ronald James Plunkett, 54, who pleaded guilty last month to delivery of less than 50 grams of cocaine and maintaining a drug house, told Washtenaw County Circuit Judge Melinda Morris that he takes “full responsibility" for his actions and he's sorry.
“As we say in recovery, I’ll try and do the next right thing, whatever that is in my life,” he said.
Ronald Plunkett listens and takes notes during an earlier court hearing.
On June 16, 2006, 22-year-old Tiffany Gregory collapsed and died at Plunkett’s apartment on Fuller Court from a combination of alcohol, cocaine and heroin.
Gregory, a medic in the Army National Guard scheduled to deploy to Iraq later that year, was full of life, talented in sports and dedicated to her country, her brother Steve Gregory said in court today.
He said "Plunkett's money" caused his sister's death and requested Plunkett be sentenced to 24 months in prison. It's a small price to pay for a life, he said.
“Mr. Plunkett must be held accountable,” he said.
Washtenaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Joe Burke said that for months, Plunkett made regular trips to Detroit with at least one woman to buy heroin or cocaine. He provided the money to buy drugs, transportation to pick them up and apartment to use them, Burke said, requesting a 10-month jail sentence.
“The fact is there does have to be accountability and there does have to be consequences,” he said.
Plunkett's case went through the court system for roughly three-and-a-half years, being delayed numerous times because of legal challenges to a relatively new law allowing prosecutors to charge people with providing drugs that caused a death.
Plunkett used that time to his advantage, Judge Morris said, proving to the court that he was turning his life around.
"You have been more than successful in doing that," Morris said.
Tracy Corson, 25, of Howell, who was Plunkett's girlfriend at the time of the death, already served two years in prison in the case after pleading guilty to delivery of a controlled substance causing death.
Plunkett’s attorney, John Shea, noted that Plunkett was a first-time offender who had a job and raised a family before self-destructing.
Plunkett has "busted his tail" to make himself a better person since his arrest, entering a detox program, completing a 13-month outpatient treatment program, attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and helping others struggling with substance abuse issues, Shea said. Plunkett, who also is a former assistant Ann Arbor city attorney, has lately been doing custodial work for a local car dealer.
“He’s much more valuable I think to this community on the street than he is in jail," Shea said.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
An
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 7:51 a.m.
I don't believe that Tiffany was a drug addict. I do believe she made a poor choice to "party it up" right before she left for war though. Why is there no mention of Tiffany's husband in this article?
racerx
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 1:56 a.m.
Sorry, but if this had been a person of color, probation would not had even been recommended.
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 1:43 a.m.
My brother who was 28 years old and a talented electrician, had everything going for him until he got caught up with heroin. The dealer was relentless and made sure he was at my brother's door every payday to sell him junk. My brother is now six feet under from an overdose and the dealer is walking free. Am I annoyed reading something like this? you bet I am. This clown (lawyer or dirtbag) needs a stiff jail sentence, however it's not going to happen. He obviously saw the loophole around the legal system and walked. I hope he sweeps floors and cleans toilets for the rest of his life. god will take care of this in the end! I hope it's nice and hot in HELL!
Jim Clarkson
Tue, Sep 21, 2010 : 12:47 a.m.
This is a joke right. For those of you saying that it is aparent that he has turned his life around and does more good being out of jail keep this in mind. If those charges had been against you, you all would be in jail. Not only is 1 person dead but his apparent accomplice has already served two years. So he gets a free ride with no real conviction and these two womens lives are affected forever. Yes both of them voluntarily participated in doing drugs but it plainly states that he was providing the money and transportation to get said drugs. Does that afford no responsibility. What a joke.
indigonation
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 11:30 p.m.
Stop the war on drugs, while its tragic that someone had to die, he shouldn't be imprisoned for a crime, drugs should be legal, responsibility to the responsible.
NorthsideZak
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 11:07 p.m.
Personally I think it is insane that you would charge either of them with a crime. They were all drug addicts doing drugs. So one person dies of an overdose and we need to find someone to blame? Why do we always have to blame someone?
miss tracy ann
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 10:23 p.m.
i guss im just confused on how he gets 3 years probation over this.... i truly believe it was because he knew the law in and out. i still think he should have taken some responsibility over his actions
treetowncartel
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 9:35 p.m.
Everybody is sober at some point before the decision they made becomes a mistake, that can turn then into a tragedy. I don't think anyone should have been charged with anything in this particular instance. They were all adults exercising their liberties from what I understand. Collectively, all three of them made a bad decision.
DagnyJ
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 9:35 p.m.
@tracyann, I don't think anyone is saying that this isn't a tragic situation. There is the tragedy of the situation, and then there is the law. And the law was served here. Plunkett did not plead guilty to giving heroin to Tiffany. And he did not plead guilty to delivery causing death. The latter charge was dropped by an agreement between the prosecutor and defense attorney. The judge could have sent him to jail for a few months. But what for? The best we can hope for is that he gets a job and becomes a taxpaying citizen who is not involved with drugs. As for Tiffany's family, my heart goes out to them. Sadly, their daughter/sister decided to get high, and it killed her. I wish that wasn't so, but it is what happened. Ron Plunkett's money didn't kill Tiffany. Nor did his car. But the heroin she injected did.
geej86
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 9:14 p.m.
Based on the facts in this case (that I know of at least), I believe this sentence to be appropriate. "Plunkett's money" caused his sister's death? No, It didn't. Her doing drugs did. My heart goes out to her family and all families that have experience with drug abuse and addiction, but personal responsibility trumps all. Also, the 'delivery of a controlled substance causing death' charge that Tracy got is utterly ridiculous and an unneeded felony.
proudparent
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 6:56 p.m.
This is a sad case. Lost a young woman who was probably a great asset to the community and the growth of this country, and a man who has given his life to this state and city. I think he served his time already though. Im sure this wasnt the first time these 2 had done drugs together. Im sure he didnt mean for her to overdose and die. If it was him that wouldve died i wonder if she would be to blame? Im so sorry to the womans family. So sorry for your loss.