Mason City man headed to prison on meth charge

MASON CITY — A Mason City man who pleaded guilty to a methamphetamine charge has been sentenced to ten years in prison. 

60-year-old Ricky Mahnesmith was arrested in November after authorities said they executed a search warrant at his residence in July where they found just under six grams of meth, six-and-a-quarter grams of marijuana in various baggies and containers, as well as a container that unlawfully contained the Schedule IV prescription medication Zolpidem.

Mahnesmith was originally charged with: intent to manufacture or deliver meth over five grams, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison; as well as separate counts of unlawful possession of a prescription drug and possession of marijuana, both serious misdemeanors. As part of his plea agreement, Mahnesmith pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to deliver meth, a Class C felony, as well as first offense possession of marijuana.

District Judge Gregg Rosenbladt this week sentenced Mahnesmith to ten years on the meth charge and issued a two-day jail sentence on the marjiana charge with credit for time already served.