Snap 04-05-07

Methamphetamine Awareness and Prevention Project of South Dakota

METH Awareness And Prevention Project of South Dakota

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April 5, 2007

In Missouri An appellate court denied the appeal of a man convicted of felony Meth possession, so his seven-year sentence will stand. The defendant was arrested in 2003 during a traffic stop. His demeanor roused the officers’ suspicions and he gave them permission for a search. They found Meth inside his wallet. The appeal claimed the search was illegal because the officer didn’t have a reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, but the appellate judges disagreed.

In Idaho A federal jury convicted a woman on four counts of distributing Meth and one charge of possession with intent to distribute Meth. A confidential informant testified to buying Meth four times from the defendant and her husband. The woman’s husband pled guilty to two counts of distributing Meth. The woman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count. Her husband faces a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years up to life on each count.

In Georgia Investigators found a Meth lab while trying to serve an outstanding arrest warrant at a home, and ended up arresting three people. The two men, 45- and 40-years-old, and the 46-year-old woman are all charged with Meth trafficking. The 45-year-old also faces other outstanding warrants. Officers found 3 or 4 grams of Meth along with the lab.

In Alabama Two separate crystal-Meth busts landed three people in jail. Drug investigators raided a home and arrested a couple, charged with trafficking in Meth, manufacture of drug chemicals and possession of illegal chemicals. Earlier in the same day, the husband appeared in court on similar charges stemming from a raid last month. In the second incident, a man was arrested during a routine traffic stop when officers found Meth oil in his car. It's the third time since February that he's been arrested on drug charges.

In Arizona Three girls between the ages of 12 and 15 are facing drug-related charges after police discovered Meth and cocaine in their systems. Authorities suspect that a 29-year-old man, who was an acquaintance of the elementary school girl, gave her drugs. She in turn shared them with the two middle school students. The man denied providing drugs to the 12-year-old. He consented to a search of his home and car and police found no evidence of drugs or drug paraphernalia there.

In Tennessee Officers raided an apartment and discovered an active Meth lab. Two men, 25- and 22-years-old, were arrested and charged with Meth manufacturing. They also face a charge of animal cruelty after officers found a pit-bull living in the apartment. A search of a car parked behind a shopping center also revealed Meth manufacturing supplies.

In Iowa A 31-year-old man is held without bond because authorities believe he was involved in Meth trafficking and had 13 guns. A federal grand jury indicted the suspect for conspiracy to distribute; he is also charged with being an illegal drug user in possession of firearms. Authorities allege he, along with others, conspired together to distribute Meth. The weapons were a military-style SKS rifle, five shotguns, three pistols and four other rifles. The charges carry penalties of up to life in prison and a $4 million fine upon conviction.

In Oregon Police who pulled over a car for a traffic violation ended up making a Meth and weapons arrest. The driver, a 33-year-old woman, faces a charge of Meth possession, two counts of identity theft and a parole violation. Her passenger, a 39-year-old man, was arrested on charges including Meth delivery and unlawful possession of a weapon –nunchucks. He had been released from prison two days earlier, after serving a two-year sentence.