A Polk County man was sentenced in federal court Thursday to 30 months in prison for his part in a methamphetamine distribution conspiracy that ranged from Centre, Ala., to Esom Hill.

Scotty Milligan, 36, of Esom Hill previously plead guilty to one charge of conspiracy to distribute at least 500 grams of meth, which carries a sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

Judge Robert L. Vining Jr. said in court Thursday that considering Milligan’s cooperation with the government and his participation in a drug rehabilitation program, the minimum recommended sentence in Milligan’s case shouldn’t be applied.

“I think this sentence of 30 months is appropriate,” Vining said during sentencing in court Thursday.

The usual fines and fees associated with the judgment were waived by Vining, and Milligan will also have to serve five years of parole after he is released.

Milligan told the judge he was sorry that he’d made a terrible mistake and “I hate it for my family,” who sat behind him in court.

According to an ATF affidavit and information presented in court:

A confidential informant made several controlled purchases of ice methamphetamine and at least one purchase of a .22 caliber firearm through Milligan’s co-defendant in Centre.

“There is no evidence that Mr. Milligan had anything to do with (the firearm) purchase whatsoever,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Jones.

Milligan became involved when on March 23, 2009, the informant met a go-between who said Milligan had 2.5 ounces of ice methamphetamine ready for purchase. The two arrived at Milligan’s residence on Brewster Road and purchased two ounces of meth with $3,000 in cash.

On March 26, 2009 agents executed a federal search warrant and found approximately three-quarters of an ounce of meth, the affidavit stated.

Milligan cooperated with agents immediately, Jones said, and his involvement in the conspiracy was due to drug addiction.