WILMINGTON — A local man received a four-year prison term for making meth and for a break-in at Wilmington High School involving the theft of new Chromebook laptop computers.
Dusty Ray Oates, 30, of Wilmington was charged first in connection with the Sept. 1 discovery of a “one-pot” methamphetamine lab at his West Locust Street apartment. Police were dispatched to the scene after the property landlord — there for an emergency repair — noticed a strong chemical odor and suspicious containers, stated a WPD affidavit.
The police officers ordered the apartment building evacuated due to the possibility of an explosion or fire. In addition, Oates’ apartment unit is within 1,000 feet of the high school, which increases the seriousness of the criminal charge.
Only days prior to the meth lab discovery, the same apartment had been searched related to the theft of the high school students’ laptops, according to the affidavit.
On Sept 1 detectives located two bottles they suspected were being used in the crystallization process of manufacturing meth. They also found acid, a dry chemical, and other chemical products needed to make meth, the affidavit stated.
The one-pot method of making meth is also known as “shake-n-bake,” added the affidavit.
After Oates was arrested Aug. 29, he turned over 33 laptops to police.
Oates received three years imprisonment on the meth making conviction, plus another one-year term for the breaking-and-entering. He was granted 75 days credit toward the state prison term for time he spent in the county jail related to the cases.
In another recent felony sentencing, a Wilmington man was given a two-year prison term after being convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol (OVI) — which makes a total of 11 OVI convictions in his life.
Police conducted a traffic stop on Charles Eugene Flint, 55, in the late afternoon of June 11 in Wilmington. He told a police sergeant he drank about a 12-pack since 11 a.m. that day, according to an affidavit in the case file.
In addition to the prison term, Flint’s operator license is suspended for five years, and no driving privileges can be granted during the first three years. Further, he was fined $1,350, and it is ordered that Flint attend and complete all available alcohol and drug abuse programs while incarcerated.
Credit was granted for 104 days served in the county jail.
Flint has appealed the case, stated court papers.
Other recent felony sentences include:
• Jeffrey Lamar Salisbury, 38, of Wilmington, received a two-year prison term for aggravated trafficking in meth. He was granted time credit for 77 days served in jail.
• Dennis W. Lechner, 39, of Clarksville, received a nine-month jail sentence for assault. He was granted credit for 272 days served already on the case and was released from custody.
• Chasity A. Cottrell, 21, of Sabina, was sentenced to six months at the Ohio Reformatory for Women for aggravated possession of drugs.
• Thomas D. Johnson, 48, of Wilmington, received a suspended six-month term of incarceration and was placed on community controls for two years for possessing cocaine. He received credit for five days served in jail.
• Louetta May Keets, 47, of Blanchester, received a suspended six-month term of incarceration and was put on a one-year term of community controls for aggravated possession of drugs. Credit for one day in jail was granted.
• Ashley R. Huffman, 30, of Wilmington, received a suspended six-month term of incarceration and was placed on a two-year term of community controls for aggravated possession of drugs.
Reach Gary Huffenberger at 937-556-5768.
