Published: June 19, 2009 05:54 pm      

Local man pleads guilty to making meth

Somerset — A man who was arrested after authorities stumbled on several people in possession of items used to make methamphetamine during a separate investigation into an armed robbery was sentenced in court Thursday.

A search for a pair of armed robbery suspects led investigators to an alleged methamphetamine laboratory on June 9. While there, officers discovered and arrested France Helton, 27, of Burnside, and others who were in possession of products used to manufacture the illicit drug.

During Thursday’s proceedings before Pulaski Circuit Judge Jeffrey T. Burdette, Helton pleaded guilty to manufacture of methamphetamine by information.

Helton’s case skipped the grand jury process after he agreed to plead guilty to the charge, and Helton also waived his right to a presentence investigation, according to information provided by the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Helton was arrested in the early hours of June 9 after the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office received a report of an armed robbery involving a motorist on East Ky. 80.

As part of the search for suspects, a sheriff’s deputy checked out a storage facility at 34 Murphy Lane. At the facility, the deputy reportedly encountered Helton and four other individuals.

“The deputy immediately recognized some of the items in Helton’s possession as being used to manufacture methamphetamine,” stated a press release from the Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

Helton was subsequently arrested and charged with manufacture of methamphetamine.

According to information provided by Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney David L. Dalton during Thursday’s hearing, Helton possessed a variety of items used to manufacture methamphetamine, including coffee filters, freezer bags, gloves, plastic tubing, wire cutters, razor blades and loose baggies.

In addition, Helton also reportedly possessed approximately 788 pseudoephedrine pills (over 40 grams), lithium batteries, Prestone starting fluid, Rooto drain opener and salt.

Burdette sentenced Helton to 20 years in prison and Helton was immediately remanded into custody.