Dennis Hysinger was sentenced Monday by Federal Judge Sandy Mattice to serve 18 months in federal prison on charges of selling marijuana and gun possession.
Hysinger was asked by the judge if he wanted to go into custody now or wait until after the holidays. He consulted with his fiancee, kissed her, then told the judge he was ready to get his confinement over with.
Prosecutor Steve Neff said Hysinger's last criminal case had been selling marijuana in 1984.
The defendant said he went back to drug sales after the death of his mother in 2003. He said, "It has cost me three jobs and probably a fourth."
His attorney said he had been out of trouble for 24 years, then made a mistake. The prosecutor said it was "more than a mistake," saying the drug dealing took place at least from May until August prior to his arrest.
Hysinger said one of the guns was an old weapon that had belonged to his mother and the other was used by the fiancee for protection.
He said he had "learned his lesson" and would not need drug treatment while in prison.
His sentencing range was 18-24 months.