Meth mailed in toaster gets man 18 years
A man convicted in a federal drug case involving six pounds of crystal methamphetamine mailed to Hawaii in a toaster was sentenced Friday to 18 years in prison.
A jury in April convicted Allen Gorion, 32, of meth dealing and conspiracy charges. He and his co-defendant were arrested last year after picking up the package, which was mailed to Kapolei from North Hollywood, Calif.
Authorities intercepted the package, replaced most of the drugs with pseudo -meth and delivered it, using a U.S. postal inspector posing as a mail carrier.
In a bid for a lighter sentence, Gorion testified at Friday’s sentencing hearing that he thought he was helping someone move and didn’t realize there were drugs in his car. He denied touching the bag, even though special powder that authorities put on the fake drugs was on his hands.
“I don’t find Mr. Gorion to be credible,” U.S. District Judge J. Michael Seabright said.
Co-defendant Leland Akau previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15-1/2 years in prison.
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Gorion said he takes responsibility for his actions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tony Roberts disagreed, saying “he took us to trial, he was fighting the case.”
Gorion testified that a man he knew to be involved with meth dealing bought him a plane ticket to California. When asked if the trip was for trafficking drugs, Gorion responded, “Might have been. … I didn’t know what was going on.”
Defense attorney Cliff Hunt asked psychologist Marvin Acklin to describe Gorion’s attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Gorion has a well-documented history of “severe” ADHD, Acklin said.
Hunt said Gorion has strong community support, gesturing to the courtroom gallery full of about two dozen relatives and friends. Hunt asked the judge to sentence Gorion to the mandatory minimum of 10 years. Gorion, who has four daughters, was going through a divorce, was depressed and suicidal when he linked up with a drug dealer and started smoking meth, Hunt said.
Roberts, the prosecutor, noted Gorion’s criminal history, which includes stealing a car and punching his spouse.
“I feel sorry for his daughters and family, also,” Roberts said, but added that doesn’t excuse Gorion’s actions involving a drug that has had a “horrendous” community impact.
4 responses to “Meth mailed in toaster gets man 18 years”
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The current US criminal sentencings, are too severe.
The real hardcore, dangerous, violent, & career criminals will get away with smaller sentences.
What was the purpose of incarceration, for criminal offenses ? Is it to punish the criminal indefinitely and at a tremendous cost to the taxpayers ? What are the sentences, around the world, for the same crimes ?
Is the criminal justice system creating more criminals ?
Much as I hate drug dealers and men who punch their wives, the sentence is too harsh. He needs help, not 18 years in the slammer. Our Hawaii justice system is medieval.
Brah, you toast…
This is a 32 year old man. Is ADHD even relevant as an excuse for receiving meth with intent to distribute at his age?