Published: June 17, 2009 03:51 pm      

Parolee gets 12 years for meth offense

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — A local resident on parole for a methamphetamine-related offense is back in prison after his conviction on a meth charge here.

David A. Bertram, 59, of the 800 block of Harris Place, received a 12-year sentence with the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty June 8 to procurement of anhydrous ammonia with intent it be used to manufacture meth, a Class 1 felony, according to Hamilton County Circuit Court records.

Bertram went to the Belle Prairie FS Wabash Valley Service Co. plant on Illinois 142, Dahlgren, on Oct. 27 and tampered with anhydrous ammonia equipment there in an effort to procure anhydrous ammonia to use to manufacture meth, the charge stated.

“The defendant was caught on video at the plant tampering with an anhydrous tank,” a court document from State’s Attorney Justin Hood stated.

Bertram was on parole from prison for possession of meth-manufacturing material in a 2006 Williamson County case, according to information on the IDOC Web site. He was sentenced to five-and-a-half years in that case. Bertram was sentenced to seven years in prison in a 2003 meth case in White County, the IDOC Web site said.

In connection with his plea in the Hamilton County case, charges of tampering with anhydrous ammonia equipment, a Class 3 felony, and unlawful purchase or acquisition of a targeted meth precursor, a Class B misdemeanor, were dismissed.