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Last updated on Wednesday, November 28, 2012
(SALEM) - Fourteen of the 18 people arrested as a result of a coordinated meth bust earlier this year have been sentenced.
Stephanie Taylor Ferriell of the Leader-Democrat reports that Prosecutor Dustin Houchin was pleased with all 14 entered plea agreements, thus avoiding trials.
The busts were a coordinated effort of the Washington County Sheriff's Department, Salem City Police and the Indiana State Police.
Police found 14 meth labs and several of them were active at the time officers served search warrants.
The majority of the arrests were for manufacturing meth, a Class B felony which carries a sentence of between six and 20 years. The sentences on those charges ranged from a low of 10 years to a high of 15 years. Those on the high end had enhanced charges because they were dealing meth near a school or park. Others had possession of firearms, which also increases charges. Three of those sentenced were arrested on possession charges, a lesser offense.
All were sentenced in Washington Superior Court to state prison through the Indiana Department of Correction.
During the arrests, five children were removed by the Division of Child Services. One was just 3 years old at the time and none were older than elementary school age.
Several couples were arrested as well.
Houchin said the cases were loosely connected and said the arrests made a definite impact, keeping a lot of meth off the streets.
Those who have settled their cases are:
Shawn Hinkebein, of Pekin: 10 years, three suspended. Arrested Jan. 25 on charges of manufacturing meth, dealing in meth, possession of precursors, maintaining a common nuisance.
Daniel Ledford, of Salem: 15 years, one suspended. Arrested Jan. 27 on charges of dumping meth trash, manufacturing meth, possession of meth, maintaining a common nuisance.
Justin Klinglesmith, of Pekin: 13 years, four suspended. Arrested Jan. 18 on charges of possession of meth (under 3 grams), manufacturing meth within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare or church, possession of precursors, maintaining a common nuisance.
Wesley Dicus, of Salem: 10 years, two suspended. Arrested Jan. 23 on charges of manufacturing meth, possession of meth, possession of precursors, maintaining a common nuisance.
Kristen Hacker, of Salem: 10 years, two suspended. Arrested Jan. 29 on charges of conspiracy to manufacture meth.
John Losson, of Salem: 10 years, two suspended. Arrested Jan. 31 on charges of manufacturing meth, possession of meth with a firearm, possession of precursors, possession of marijuana, possession of paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance.
Allison Klinglesmith, of Pekin: 11 years, one suspended. Arrested Jan. 18 on charges of possession of meth, manufacturing meth within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare or church, possession of precursor, maintaining a common nuisance.
Lacey Jackson, of Pekin: 12 years, three suspended. Arrested Jan. 17 on charges of manufacturing meth, possession of precursors, possession of paraphernalia, neglect of a dependent x 2, maintaining a common nuisance.
Tonya Campbell, of Salem: 10 years, three and a half suspended. Arrested Jan. 27 on charges of manufacturing meth, possession of meth, dumping a controlled substance, maintaining a common nuisance.
Darren Ray Terrell, of Salem: 10 years, none suspended. Arrested Feb. 6 on charges of possession of meth and precursors with a firearm, possession of paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance.
Stacey Sparks, of Pekin: 545 days, 356 suspended. Arrested Jan. 27 on charges of possession of meth, possession of marijuana (under 30 grams), possession of paraphernalia, possession of precursors, maintaining a common nuisance.
Sherry Nunley, of Pekin: 545 days, 537 suspended, 180 days home detention, followed by probation. Arrested Jan. 27 on charges of possession of meth, possession of precursors, possession of paraphernalia, neglect of a dependent, maintaining a common nuisance.
Robert Nunley, of Pekin: 5 years, none suspended. Arrested Jan. 27 on charges of possession of meth, possession of precursors, neglect of a dependent, possession of paraphernalia, maintaining a common nuisance.
Josey Wells, of Pekin: 11 years, four and a half suspended. Arrested Jan. 17 on charges of manufacturing meth, possession of precursors, possession of paraphernalia, neglect of a dependent x 2, maintaining a common nuisance.
Three of the remaining four people arrested as part of the drug bust will be sentenced soon.
Jason Atkins, Valerie Dicus and Frank Sparks have all entered plea agreements, but have yet to be sentenced.
The case involving the final person, Heather Warman, is pending.
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