Racine man sent to jail for delivering cocaine in Algoma By Kevin Boneske News-Chronicle A Racine man linked to a drug bust called the largest seizure of cocaine ever in Kewaunee County was sentenced to six months in jail. Kewaunee County Circuit Court Judge Dennis J. Mleziva on Friday sentenced Joseph Espinoza, 32, to six months in jail on a felony charge of delivering between 5 and 15 grams of cocaine. Another six months of jail time are being stayed at the court's discretion. Espinoza, who was given seven days credit for time already served, is being allowed to serve the jail sentence in another county. Instead of sending Espinoza to prison, Mleziva placed him on five years of probation and stayed a prison sentence calling for three years of initial confinement and two years of extended supervision. Mleziva said Espinoza's lack of a prior criminal record and being a "productive member of society" weighed in favor of probation, instead of prison. Espinoza was accused of transporting cocaine from Racine to Algoma. While Kewaunee County Assistant District Attorney Elma Anderson characterized Espinoza as someone who supplied drugs in the county, she said it would be reasonable to stay a prison sentence, given his lack of a prior criminal record. Anderson said she favored a sentence in which Espinoza wouldn't be engaging in future criminal conduct in Kewaunee County. She noted that the former Algoma resident Espinoza was accused of supplying cocaine to, Jon M. Mogren, 44, has been sent to prison. Mogren was sentenced Dec. 13 in Kewaunee County Circuit Court to four years in prison, followed by six years of extended supervision, on a felony charge of delivering cocaine within 1,000 feet of a school or park. Espinoza and another Racine man, Michael Cobb, 41, a Racine teacher, had been taken into custody in connection with a search warrant being executed at Mogren's residence on Jan. 4, 2002, when police officers from Door and Kewaunee counties staked out a controlled cocaine purchase in Algoma. Court records state the bust netted baggies containing more than 55 grams of cocaine, along with some marijuana, evidence of drug paraphernalia and about $3,000 in cash. During his sentencing hearing, Espinoza said he apologized to the people of Kewaunee County and to his family for his actions. "I have changed my life around, and all I'm going to do is good now," Espinoza said. Cobb pleaded no contest March 14 to a misdemeanor charge of being party to the crime of possessing marijuana. Cobb was placed on nine months of probation with a 60-day jail sentenced stayed. His lawyer noted he was terminated from his teaching job while his case had been pending.