Opinion ID: 1631747
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: introduction

Text: On the morning of January 27, 2006, the Johnson County Sheriffs Department received a tip that a methamphetamine lab was in operation in a trailer located on property owned by Brent Cantrell's father. Three members of the Johnson County Sheriffs Department proceeded to the location in three separate cruisers. When Deputy Tom Wyatt drove up to the trailer, he noticed Brent Cantrell and Shawna Dalton climbing out an open window and running away. Although it was late in January, Cantrell was wearing only a t-shirt, jeans, and shoes. Dalton was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, but no shoes. Deputy Barry Mayes also observed Cantrell and Dalton climbing out the window and running away. Officer Mayes ordered the pair to stop and they were apprehended. The officers detected the odor of ammonia on both Cantrell and Dalton. Cantrell gave the officers permission to search the trailer. A strong caustic odor permeated the air around the residence. Upon entry, the officers encountered a foggy haze and more of the strong caustic odor which had been detected outside. In fact, one of the officers began coughing so much because of the fumes that he had to be treated at a local hospital. Inside the trailer, the officers discovered all the chemicals and equipment necessary for the manufacturing of methamphetamine. An individual by the name of Dale Wells was found passed out on a bunk in a back bedroom. A video surveillance system was also discovered inside the trailer, with the camera focused on the driveway leading up to the residence. Deputy Boyce Williams collected and photographed evidence from the trailer. Among the evidence collected were cans of butane fuel, a butane torch, ph strips, tubing, kitty litter, a coffee pot, coffee filters, a funnel, a beaker, a mason jar, and hollowed-out light bulbs. Two hollowed-out light bulbs containing residue and three bottles were sent to the Kentucky State Police Laboratory for testing. Lab results showed that these items contained methamphetamine. Cantrell was convicted in the Johnson Circuit Court of: complicity to manufacture methamphetamine; [1] complicity to possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (methamphetamine); [2] complicity to use/possession of drug paraphernalia; [3] and being a second-degree persistent felony offender. [4] As a result of his conviction for being a persistent felony offender, Cantrell's 20-year sentence for manufacturing methamphetamine was enhanced to 50 years, and his 5-year sentence for possession of a controlled substance was enhanced to 10 years. Cantrell received a 12-month sentence on the drug paraphernalia charge. In accordance with the jury's recommendation, Cantrell was sentenced to a total of fifty (50) years in prison.