The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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March 20, 2013

Baker’s dozen accused in meth lab scheme

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

PERRY TOWNSHIP — The state Attorney General’s Office has arrested seven people and obtained warrants for six more in the investigation of a methamphetamine lab that was raided last summer in Perry Township.

The new charges allege the 13 provided ingredients needed to make meth, most notably the restricted, over-the-counter medication pseudoephedrine. Some of those charged also allowed meth to be cooked in their homes, the AG’s office said.

On June 20, agents searched the mobile home of Donald D. Sturgin, 35, 237 Carey Road, finding items used in making meth – including lye, lithium batteries, cold packs and pseudoephedrine tablets – and four plastic bottles containing a mixture of ingredients in the process of creating meth.

Sturgin was arrested along with his girlfriend, Callie T. Bothun, 35, of 10 S. Second St., Greenville; Aaron W. Allmon, 35, of Orwell, Ohio;  Jesse A. Sullivan, 33, of 1911 Bachop Road, Sheakleyville; and Sarah A. Hetrick, 30, of 59 Thompson Road, Perry Township.

Hetrick pleaded guilty March 11 to a charge of manufacture of meth in a residence with a child present, the child being her then-2-year-old son.

Hetrick told investigators that numerous people supplied ingredients to Allmon, who has been described as the meth cook.

Because of the potential for abuse, the quantity and frequency of pseudoephedrine purchases is restricted, and pharmacies must keep logs of who buys the drug. Drug agents obtained those logs and found the accused bought the drug at pharmacies throughout Mercer County and in Meadville.

Allmon traded meth for pills with some of the accused, agents said.

The 13 charged this week are accused of possession of pseudoephedrine as a precursor to meth and conspiracy to commit possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

The following were arraigned by District Judge D. Neil McEwen, Pine Township, and taken to Mercer County Jail on detainers filed by Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole: William E. Sowash, 31, of 1003 Petersburg Road, Sandy Creek Township; Nickola M. Brown, 30, of 374 N. Perry Highway, Coolspring Township; and Richard C. Hovis, 49, of 236 Osborn Road, Salem Township.

Released after posting bond were: Katrina M. Moffatt, 26, of 210 Long Hill Road, Salem Township; Amanda M. Patton, 31, of 118 Orangeville Road, West Salem Township; Amy L. Doffin, 27, of 371 Laver Road, Perry Township; and David P. Moffatt, 35, of 1 Washington St., Greenville.

Allmon used Hovis’ garage and the homes of the Moffatts and Doffin in which to make meth, agents said.

McEwen set preliminary hearings for March 27 before District Judge Brian Arthur, Greenville.

In an unrelated case, Patton has been charged by Greenville-West Salem Township police with theft for stealing a wallet a customer mistakenly left at Last Minit Mart, 62 W. Main St., on March 2, police said. Patton worked at the store at the time, but has since been fired, police said. The wallet was returned to its owner with nothing missing, police said.

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