Published: November 12, 2008 03:53 pm            

Meth charges filed

By PAUL LORENZ

paul.lorenz@mcleansborotimesleader.com

McLEANSBORO — Three men face methamphetamine-related charges in connection with incidents at the same rural Hamilton County business.

Hamilton County State's Attorney Justin Hood filed charges Monday against David A. Bertram and William D. Crimmins, no ages or addresses listed, and on Nov. 5 against Eric B. Willett, 22, Fairfield.

All three men are accused of targeting Belle Prairie FS Wabash Valley Service Co., on Illinois 242 in rural Dahlgren, with the intention to steal anhydrous ammonia in order to manufacture meth, according to Hamilton County Circuit Court records.

Willett is charged with three counts of procurement of anhydrous ammonia with intent it be used to manufacture meth, a Class 1 felony, and three counts of tampering with anhydrous ammonia equipment, a Class 3 felony. The crimes are alleged to have taken place Nov. 1, 2 and 3.

He was arrested Nov. 6 in Wayne County, and Judge Barry Vaughan set his bail at $75,000, court records stated.

Bertram is charged with procurement of anhydrous ammonia with intent it be used to manufacture meth and tampering with anhydrous ammonia equipment — in connection with incidents Oct. 27 — and unlawful purchase or acquisition of a targeted meth precursor, a Class B misdemeanor.

In the latter charge, Bertram is accused of purchasing products containing almost 17,000 milligrams of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine — a meth precursor — on Oct. 29.

An arrest warrant was issued Monday for Bertram.

Crimmins is charged with two counts of procurement of anhydrous ammonia with intent it be used to manufacture meth and two counts of tampering with anhydrous ammonia equipment in connection with incidents Nov. 2 and 3.

        

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