Former defense attorney Ron Plunkett pleads guilty to drug charges in 2006 overdose death
A former Brighton defense attorney accused of paying for and transporting the heroin that caused the death of an Ypsilanti woman in 2006 pleaded guilty today to drug charges.
Ronald James Plunkett, 53, pleaded guilty this afternoon in Washtenaw County Circuit Court to delivery of less than 50 grams of cocaine and maintaining a drug house.
He admitted to giving someone cocaine at his Fuller Court apartment on June 16, 2006 - the day 22-year-old Tiffany Gregory collapsed there and died after consuming a combination of alcohol, cocaine and heroin.
Former defense attorney Ron Plunkett is shown in this file photo.
Gregory was a medic in the Army National Guard and was scheduled to deploy to Iraq later that year.
"That day I allowed three people to come there and use drugs at that house," Plunkett told Judge Melinda Morris.
Plunkett also admitted he allowed people to use drugs at his home before and after that date.
Under a plea agreement with prosecutors, charges of delivery of heroin causing death and delivery of less than 50 grams of heroin will be dismissed.
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 case has been delayed numerous times due to legal challenges over the relatively new law allowing prosecutors to charge people with providing drugs that caused a death.
The Washtenaw County circuit judge and state appellate judges that reviewed the case determined there was not enough probable cause for Plunkett to stand trial. But the state Supreme Court reinstated felony drug delivery charges and refused to reconsider that decision earlier this year.
Plunkett faces a maximum of 23 months in prison when he is sentenced Sept. 13, sentencing guidelines say.
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
miss tracy ann
Mon, Aug 30, 2010 : 7 a.m.
hmmm ypsi cat..you call all these people cynics and say they arent being given "the whole story", but what i find interesting is that im almost positive that YOU dont know the whole story about ron. thats what i find very funny about a lot of peoples comments on how hes reformed and in recovery. well i believe that is great for anyone to turn their life around but the past does not go away no matter what you do in the future. i know that recovery has taught me to do the next right thing and to be an honest person today. i was 21 years old when this happened and i took responsibility for my actions. why dont you all put yourselfs in tiffanys familys shoes for just one day...food for thought!
bob
Thu, Aug 5, 2010 : 2:51 a.m.
"It's too bad all you cynics aren't being given the whole story. Mr. Plunkett has "reformed" and has done a huge amount of good in the community." thats great..glad to hear Mr. Plunkett has been reformed. but this doesnt mean he should not face consequences for his past actions. thats like saying if i shot someone 10 years ago but today im totally an advocate against guns..i should be excused for my past actions. i dont think so, he needs to answer for his past actions. lets see when all this is said and done, if he stays in recovery or was this ALL for the courts.
ronn oneal
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 7:34 p.m.
How do we charge our country of the billions of deaths due to them allowing this poison to come here while the big wigs count the under the table cash they spend tax free. Only the street dealer gets the raw deal while the real wheelers and dealers give it to the streets then lock them up. What a great country of criminal founding fathers to the present sons and daughters.
snapshot
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 10:42 a.m.
Racerex, as usual the irony of my comment obviously escaped you. I sometimes forget that what is common knowledge to some is not so common to others. Hopefully, Awakened's verification is of some benefit. How about the point that our government is knowingly supporting terrorists organizations and heroin production as an "acceptable" risk to creating a "democratic" society while advocating imprisonment for our own citizens basically doing the same thing, but with friends and family? I'm not saying it's right, I'm just pointing out the facts.
Atticus F.
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 9:32 a.m.
Alot of people do this type of thing because they are enablers, they dont know how to properly deal with a friend or loved one being addicted. Enablers are often manipulated by the addicts that they love I truely dont think this guy is the evil monster that some of the posters here are making him out to be. I also believe that the loss of his friend was probably the worst thing that ever happened to him.
mi4198
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 7:47 a.m.
He was an attorney, he should know better. I don't care if he reformed or not. He should get the same sentence as does any drug dealer on michigan avenue. DON'T DO THE CRIME IF YOU CAN'T DO THE TIME. Hope he actually goes to prison, but he will probably receive probation.
Awakened
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 5:33 a.m.
@ snapshot and Racerx According to opiods.com: 93% of the worlds opium is grown in Afghanistan and that "almost" all current US supply comes from there. A 2007 article in the Army's Strategic study institute puts production at 92% of the worlds opium and 95+% of US importation. Either way I'd prefer my tax dollars were building infrastructure here than in Afghanistan.
racerx
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 12:29 a.m.
@snapshot-what actual proof do you have that the heroin that killed this girl came from Afghanistan? Generalities aside of your thesis, Im willing to offer that most still comes from Latin America. @-NorthsidZak-Ron is a good personwhen you are unaware of all the facts and do not know the man himself.Well, lets see what those facts are: A) He admitted to giving someone cocaine at his apartment B)Admitted he allowed people to use drugs at his home before and after the date that the girl died. C) pleaded guilty to delivery of less than 50 grams of cocaine D) pleaded guilty to maintaining a drug house. Yup, what an outstanding guy, here Ron, Id like to introduce you to my daughter, oh wait, shes only 18, Ill get back to you in seven years. What is more comical than ever is that he will only serve 23 months.
snapshot
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 11:01 p.m.
Our government just completed a billion dollar renovation on an electrical plant in Afganistan that supplies more power for the farmers. Those farmers happen to grow the poppy as their main crop which they convert to heroin and import it to the US. The Taliban, in some areas, controls the same grid, and are now making more money selling power to more people so they can make more heroin and grow more poppies. So our Federal government basically subsidized the production of the heroin that killed these folks. The Federal government also subsidizes funding to the terroists that kill our soldiers. The Federal government considers this an acceptable risk. Go figure. Go get them all you prosecuters!!!!
Chuck
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 9:54 p.m.
I'm sure he forced her to stick that stuff in her veins as well. Prolly held her against her will the whole time.
NorthsideZak
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 9:49 p.m.
Ron is a good person and he has helped countless people get and stay clean in the recovery community over the last few years. Addiction is a serious thing that effects millions of people, When you are unaware of all the facts and do not know the man himself, keep your opinions to yourselves.
Fat Bill
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 9:05 p.m.
Many people "reform" when facing or serving prison time. Looks good for parole/probation officials...
DagnyJ
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
Hmmm, so everyone who ever gave drugs to a friend should be guilty of a felony? That seems to be stretching it a little.
ypsicat
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 8:52 p.m.
It's too bad all you cynics aren't being given the whole story. Mr. Plunkett has "reformed" and has done a huge amount of good in the community.
Chase Ingersoll
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 8:16 p.m.
From the MDOC link: http://www.state.mi.us/mdoc/asp/otis2profile.asp?mdocNumber=644488 Corson served two years on a plea sentence that was 18 MONTHS to FIFTEEN YEARS. And the worst Plunkett can get is 23 MONTHS, when the statute states that it can be punishable for life. So right off the bat, according to the information in the article, Plunket has already negotiated a maximum sentence that is only 1/7th that of the other defendant. I believe the offense is probationable. http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28qaiyi4a0s3zjyt45nj1vhu55%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-750-317a I know this "She gets up to 15. He can't get more than 2." is going to raise some of the "equal under the law crowd" eyebrows.
AA
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 7:51 p.m.
WOW, I wish I could skate like that for under 50 WOW. 23 months vs. a death. I wonder what hole I would be in.
Roadman
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 7:18 p.m.
He's a former member of the Ann Arbor City Attorney's Office. Plunkett and drunk driving arrestee Robert West, the City Prosecutor of Ann Arbor, have made embarrassing headlines for the city in recent months. Another reason why we need a house cleaning at the City Attorney's Office.
Marshall Applewhite
Mon, Aug 2, 2010 : 6:58 p.m.
Sounds like a fairly typical attorney.........