Ola Mae Agee Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail

According to the Pensacola News Journal article Cocaine Sale Brings Prison Sentence, Ola Mae Agee, the 87-year-old who was arrested earlier this year for selling cocaine, has been found guilty of one felony count of selling cocaine.

OnOctober 26, Agee went to trial on the May 13, 2010, arrest. Agee was caught on video selling crack cocaine to an undercover agent. The jury found her guilty of one count of selling cocaine. Agee faces a maximum sentence of up to 15 years in jail.

Judge Jan Shackelford presided over the case. After the verdict was read, Judge Shackelford sentenced Agee to 18 months in state prison. At 87 years of age, a sentence of even one year is like a life sentence.

Sheriff spokesman Sgt. Ted Roy stated he was not surprised at the sentence imposed on Agee. Roy stated, "Eighteen months at that age is worse than a 25 year old getting 18 months."

The jury was shown the video evidence of Agee selling the drugs to the undercover agent. Assistant State Attorney Amy Brodersen felt the case was "pretty straight forward." Jurors also felt there was nothing to quibble over. They were out for about 15 minutes before rendering the verdict.

Agee's prior criminal history was a strong indication to the jury of the nature of Ms Agee. She has had prior arrests for the same crime in Escambia County over the last 15 years.

In December 1996, Ms. Agee pleaded "no contest" to possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, manufacture or deliver. In that case, the judge sentenced her to two years of probation.

In February 1999, once again Agee was arrested on two counts of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute. She pleaded "no contest" to one charge after the second was dropped. Again, she received two years of probation.

Agee has lived on the corner of Dr Martin Luther King Boulevard, AKA Alcaniz at Desoto in Pensacola for a little over 55 years. She has raised children, grandchildren and great grands at the little green house on that corner. Over the years, you could drive by the house and find family members and friends sitting in the back yard while children played in the front. During the holidays, decorations covered the house from the front to the back.

It's hard to imagine the manner in which an 87-year-old will live out her prison sentence for the next 18 months. At that age, most people are enjoying the freedom of life from work and trying to enjoy life while maintaining their health as best as possible. With the numerous negatives of prison, an 87-year-old female's ability to endure may not allow her to see freedom on this side again.

Yet we all must suffer the consequences of our actions. Whether Agee used this method to supplement her income or not is not the issue. The issue here is that she broke the law and, according to God, "We all must abide by the laws of the land" (Romans 13:1-7).

Sources:

Pensacola News Journal 'Cocaine Sale Brings Prison for 87 Year Old