(KIWA) — A Sanborn man who originally faced charges carrying a combined maximum of 115 years in prison has agreed to a recommended 30-year sentence as part of a plea bargain.
According to a plea agreement filed Monday in O’Brien County District Court, 29-year-old Hunter Koontz has agreed to plead guilty to four counts of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver less than five grams of methamphetamine. Each charge is a Class C felony.
Prosecutors are recommending that two 10-year sentences run consecutively. The sentences on the remaining two counts would run concurrently with one another, adding another 10 years and bringing the recommended total prison term to 30 years.
Koontz would also be required to pay applicable fines, fees, restitution and surcharges. His remaining charges would be dismissed under the agreement.
Multiple Alleged Methamphetamine Sales
The case stems from an investigation by the O’Brien County Sheriff’s Office. According to criminal complaints, Koontz is accused of selling methamphetamine to confidential informants on several occasions in 2025.
Deputies say some of the alleged transactions occurred near schools, parks and Sanborn’s municipal swimming pool.
Koontz was arrested on a warrant in September 2025. He originally faced four counts of drug trafficking, each a Class B felony carrying a possible 25-year prison sentence, along with three drug tax stamp violations. Each tax stamp charge was a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
If all of those maximum sentences had been ordered consecutively, Koontz could have faced as many as 115 years behind bars.
Court records earlier this month indicated a plea-taking and sentencing hearing would be held July 27. A jury trial had previously been scheduled for August.
The proposed sentence remains subject to the court’s approval.
