A man allegedly caught with a rolling meth lab during a recent traffic stop is facing up to fourteen years in prison unless he successfully completes a drug rehabilitation program.
28 year old Brandon Thomas pleaded guilty Monday in DeKalb County Criminal Court to attempting to initiate the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Under a negotiated settlement, Judge David Patterson gave Thomas a six year sentence to serve in addition to eight years for violation of probation. However, he has been furloughed to the Mission Teens drug rehab program. If he successfully completes the program, Thomas will be on probation for the duration of the sentence. If not, he will have to serve his time. Thomas must also pay a $2,000 fine.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on Tuesday, June 4 Thomas was operating a motor vehicle on Highway 56 south when he was stopped by a drug detective for driving at a high rate of speed. After stopping, Thomas allegedly pulled from his pocket a bag of marijuana and a hypodermic needle and laid it on the vehicle. Inside the automobile was a backpack containing a plastic bottle with a rubber tube protruding from the top of it (gasser), drainout (lye), Coleman fuel, coffee filters, and other items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Thomas told the detective to go ahead and take him to jail because the meth lab in the backpack belonged to him. He was arrested and brought to the jail for booking. Thomas’ drivers license were found to be revoked for a prior DUI.
In other cases, 36 year old Scotty Dale Farmer pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and received a three year sentence, all suspended to probation. The sentence is to run concurrently with a Smith County case against him. He must make restitution of $1,000. Farmer was given jail credit from August 17 to September 16.
Sheriff Ray said that on Wednesday, January 18, Farmer allegedly entered a residence on Hickman Road by prying open a back door. He allegedly stole a diamond ring, two silver rings, two knives, and an ipod touch with a total value of more than $500.
28 year old Tracy Thomason pleaded guilty to theft under $500 and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, all suspended to supervised probation. However, Thomason must serve the balance of a two year sentence for violation of probation in another case.
According to Smithville Police, an officer was called to check out a complaint of stolen property at the Smithville Church of God on West Broad Street on Friday, February 8. While enroute, Central dispatch advised the officer that the suspect (Thomason) had left the church and was walking east on Broad Street. Members of the church were following her. The officer made contact with the subject (Thomason) on Whaley Street. Found in her purse were the two wallets which were stolen from victims during a church service. Except for some cash, the wallets and contents were recovered and returned to the owners.
35 year old Joel Thomas Hayes pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal trespass and theft under $500. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days in each case to run consecutive with each other. He must also serve the balance of a one year sentence for violation of probation in another case. He has been furloughed to enroll in a drug rehab and halfway house. If he successfully completes the thirty day program and pays his court costs and fines, he will be on supervised probation for the duration of the sentence.
Sheriff Ray said that on Thursday, October 4, 2012 Hayes allegedly broke into an outbuilding on Dale Ridge Road by cutting a lock off the front door. He allegedly stole a welding tank and cart, a chainsaw, tackle box, water tank, a battery charger, windows, and several other items all valued at over $1,000.
42 year old Richard Turner pleaded guilty to theft under $500. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days, suspended to probation. He will be on supervised probation for the first six months and unsupervised probation for the last six months if court costs and restitution are paid.
The shoplifting case against Turner was the result of an incident at Save-A-Lot on Saturday, January 12. Turner was observed going into the restroom with items which were later found on his person.
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