Marshall man sentenced for distribution of meth

After an investigation by an area drug task force, a Marshall man was sentenced last week for distributing methamphetamine.

On Thurs., November 7, the United States District Court in Minneapolis sentenced Donald Jay Braaten, age 38, of  Marshall, to 80 months in Federal prison for distribution of methamphetamine.

Bratten was originally charged in United Stated District Court with both trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by an ineligible person. The firearm charge was dismissed a part of a plea agreement with Federal prosecutors. 

Braaten’s case resulted from an investigation in Renville County by the Brown-Lyon-Redwood-Renville Drug Task Force. In the fall of 2018, BLRR Task Force agents conducted various controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Braaten. At the time of Bratten’s eventual arrest in Sacred Heart, task force agents found him to be in possession of a loaded .45 caliber handgun. The Renville County Sheriff’s Office assisted with the arrest. 

On November 7, 2018, Braaten was charged in Renville County District Court with 1st Degree Controlled Substance Crimes (Sale of Methamphetamine) and Possession of a Firearm by a Person Previously Convicted of a Felony Crime of Violence. 

Later, Braaten was indicted by a Federal Grand Jury for the same offenses. The case was dismissed in Renville County so that the Federal case could continue. 

The Federal sentence was handed down by United States District Court Judge Susan Richard Nelson. Braaten will serve his sentence in a Federal penitentiary.