A mother and her son will do time in federal prison for trafficking marijuana in a case one attorney called "a shipwreck" that destroyed a Billings family.

Chief U.S. District Judge Richard Cebull on Wednesday sentenced Debbie Schleining, 48, to 2 1/2 years in prison, and her son Michael Schleining, 26, to two years and one month. Each pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute marijuana from January 2008 until February 2009.

The judge gave both a break from a guideline range of 37 to 46 months but sentenced the mother to more time even though her son transported pounds of marijuana from Nevada to Billings for distribution. Debbie Schleining, he said, permitted her son's marijuana abuse and carried a loaded .22-caliber revolver in her purse.

Defense attorney Vern Woodward, who represented Debbie Schleining, urged leniency and cited his client's abusive background, her lesser role and her cooperation with authorities. "This case is a shipwreck," he said.

While Debbie Schleining's actions were wrong, Woodward said, she grew up in a home with a father "who thought he was the Second Coming" and treated her like an object. "She chose to escape that reality with marijuana."

Debbie Schleining's son Michael was the source of the marijuana, Woodward said. Michael Schleining brought 10 to 15 pounds of marijuana each month to Billings for 10 months. Another son also obtained and sold marijuana, he said.

A chronic pot user, Debbie Schleining was involved in significant dealing for only about six months, he said.

Cebull noted that Debbie Schleining had no criminal history and had used marijuana every day since age 18.

Michael Schleining said nothing at his hearing.

Cebull held Michael Schleining responsible for about 168 pounds of marijuana and noted his lack of criminal history. A two-year sentence, he said would be "an eye-opener to Mr. Schleining."

Meanwhile in a separate court case, another son of Debbie Schleining, Timothy Schleining, 19, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to traffic marijuana and possession with intent to distribute.

U.S. Magistrate Carolyn Ostby released Timothy Schleining without bond and ordered him to have no contact with witnesses, including his mother and brother. If convicted, he faces a maximum 20 years in prison and a maximum $1 million fine.