A Utah federal judge Tuesday sentenced an admitted drug dealer to two years in prison, rejecting the Phoenix man's request he be placed on probation like his co-defendant.
Judge Thomas Greene ordered John Steven Penn to begin serving his sentence Jan. 12, with a recommendation he be incarcerated at a federal facility in Lompoc, Calif.Penn also was given three years probation on his guilty plea to a second count of cocaine possession with intent to distribute, and ordered to undergo drug counseling.
Penn and co-defendant Robin Mikesell were arrested Aug. 25 and charged with selling three-quarters of a pound of cocaine in two separate transactions in Salt Lake City and Ogden.
The two pleaded guilty to reduced charges and Mikesell was sentenced Dec. 6 to probation.