A longtime methamphetamine dealer who's never served more than two years in prison was sentenced recently to 15 years.

David B. Hill, 42, was arrested with large amounts of cash and meth three times in nine months, the last occurring Sept. 19, three days before a grand jury indicted him on federal drug charges.

Hill had 3 ounces of meth and more than $14,000 in his car. He was arrested Aug. 24 with 7 ounces of meth and about $5,000, and on Jan. 18, 2010, with 18 ounces of meth and $15,000 near Northern Quest Casino.

Hill sold large quantities of meth from Spokane motels and frequented gambled with large amounts of cash at Northern Quest.

Hill was sentenced to 180 months in prison Monday, to be followed by six years of probation. His lawyer, John McEntire, had asked for 13 years, saying his client needs treatment for his drug addiction and dreams of making a living modifying cars and motorcycles.

McEntire said Hill's three arrests in just nine months were "shocking."

"That is not rational thinking; instead, it is decision making motivated solely by a nearly thirty-year addiction to methamphetamine," McEntire wrote. "Simply put, he needed to sell to support his daily habit, which amounted to approximately 2 grams of methamphetamine per day."

McEntire noted that Hill has never served more than 24 months.

"This significant sentence increase represents the harsh difference between state and federal drug penalties," McEntire wrote. "It also represents a complete shock for Mr. Hill."

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