SOUTH BEND, Wash. — The strange case of drug-and-gun-dealing amusement park owner, erstwhile fugitive and Scientology rehab patient Robert “Tony” Anthony Merrill is almost over.

On Friday, visiting Superior Court Judge James Dixon denied Merrill’s request to delay sentencing for a third time, and sentenced him to six years in state prison.

Following spring 2017 raids on his home and his downtown Long Beach go-kart and amusement complex, Merrill was arrested on numerous drug-related charges.

Prosecutor Mark McClain added additional charges after investigators linked him to a stolen gun-peddling ring, ultimately charging him with 49 felonies. Merrill skipped bail and fled to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where United States marshals eventually captured him.

In April, Merrill pleaded guilty to 10 felony charges, including residential burglary, drug possession, running a drug house, bail jumping, trafficking in stolen property and rendering criminal assistance.

Merrill’s parents bailed him out again and sent him to a Church of Scientology-run rehab in the California desert.

His case was further complicated when his attorney was elected Grays Harbor County Superior Court judge and a Pacific County deputy prosecutor who had handled much of his case was appointed Pacific County Superior Court judge.

At the conclusion of his hearing, Merrill, 53, read a statement to the court. He thanked his loved ones and lawyers and a corrections officer and acknowledged the police who busted him were “doing their job,” according to a press release from McClain.

Merrill said he felt hopeful that he would be able to turn his life around, and planned to make the most of his time in prison by participating in college, job-training and volunteer programs. Finally, Merrill said some of his closest friends died as a result of their addictions, so he felt lucky to be alive.

McClain was also relieved to see the case nearing its long-awaited conclusion.

“I was thankful that the judge denied yet another continuance in this matter, as we had objected to these delays,” McClain said in the press release. “But in the end, having Mr. Merrill off the streets and in prison has made our community safer.”