A West Chester woman was sentenced Monday to more than 7 years in federal prison for trafficking ice methamphetamine. Sixty-two-year-old Mary Lavone Linnell received the sentence of 92 months following a November 2022 guilty plea to possession of ice methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it.

In November 2021, Linnell was stopped by law enforcement while driving a vehicle containing one quarter pound of meth. Other evidence disclosed at the sentencing hearing showed that, in total, she bought over two pounds of ice methamphetamine for redistribution throughout that same year. Linnell has multiple prior convictions for operating vehicles while under the influence and for possessing controlled substances. She also has previous convictions for distributing methamphetamine and possessing cocaine with intent to deliver.

Following her sentence, Linnell must also serve a 5-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney, Devra T. Hake, and investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Johnson County Drug Task Force, Cedar Rapids Police Department, and the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office.