San Clemente : Judge Upholds 50-Year Term for Drug Dealer
A convicted drug dealer from San Clemente on Monday failed in his bid to reduce his 50-year prison sentence.
U.S. District Judge James M. Ideman refused to reduce Mark McFarlane’s term, saying McFarlane has shown a “complete disregard for the law.”
Ideman said he also wanted to send a message to the public that narcotics dealers must be severly punished.
McFarlane, 32, was found guilty by a federal court jury in August, 1985, of conspiring to distribute 15 kilograms of cocaine. He committed the crime while out on bail pending appeal of an earlier 25-year sentence for drug dealing, according to Assistant U.S. Atty. Laurie L. Levenson.
Even if he is granted parole, McFarlane will not be released until he is at least 60 years old. McFarlane is currently in custody at the Federal Correctional Institute at Terminal Island.
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