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Article published Mar 10, 2009 Three plead guilty in meth charges
By Jessica Stith of The Daily Times Staff
Three people with meth-related charges pleaded guilty in Blount County Circuit Court on Monday and two were sentenced on their charges.
Helen Michelle Brewster, 37, Lenoir City, pleaded guilty to charges of initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a Schedule II substance (methamphetamine) with the intent to sell or deliver.
Stephen Ray Raburn, 39, Madisonville, and Sarah Louise Smith, 45, Sneedville, both pleaded guilty to the promotion of methamphetamine manufacture, and Raburn also pleaded guilty to introduction of a contraband into a correctional facility.
Brewster was arrested on Sept. 17 when she was found by agents with the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force in a truck identified as a rolling meth lab. According to Blount County Assistant District Attorney General Kathy Aslinger, the incident began when two other individuals told authorities during a traffic stop that they were in possession of pseudoephedrine (an ingredient used to make methamphetamine) because they were trading it to Brewster for meth.
Aslinger said the individuals set up a meeting with Brewster, and agents with the task force showed up, but Brewster "took off" when she saw them. She was pursued by authorities who eventually stopped her vehicle. Brewster told agents that she was a runner for a guy who makes methamphetamine.
"She did admit that she had a methamphetamine lab inside of her truck," Aslinger said.
Ingredients found
Agents found several ingredients and tools used to make methamphetamine in Brewster's vehicle and also recovered 1.4 grams of meth. Brewster told Judge David R. Duggan that she agreed to the facts of the case, although she said she did not remember having "iodine" in her vehicle and denied fleeing after she saw the agents. She said she did not see the agents, but left because she did not see the individuals she was planning to meet.
Brewster was sentenced to serve nine years on each of her charges, to run concurrently, and may be eligible for release when she serves 30 percent of her term. She must also pay $4,000 in fines and must pay court costs. Her nine-year sentence will also run concurrently with a Monroe County sentence, and she will be returned to Monroe County to serve her time.
Rayburn was arrested on Nov. 24 after investigators with the 5th Judicial Task Force received information that suspicious persons were shopping for pseudoephedrine at a Blount County business. The individuals had also been to two other Blount County businesses earlier that day shopping for pseudoephedrine.
Purchased for meth
According to the agents, Raburn admitted to purchasing pseudoephedrine as a precursor for making meth for another individual in Monroe County.
Raburn was sentenced to four years on each of his charges, to be served concurrently, and may be eligible for release when he serves 35 percent of his term. Aslinger said his four year term will be served consecutively with a Monroe County sentence.
Smith was arrested on May 13 when a Blount County business reported two suspicious purchases of pseudoephedrine. Smith, and a second individual, were stopped by members of the 5th Judicial Drug Task Force and questioned about their purchases.
Aslinger said Smith told agents "she was going to sell the pseudoephedrine to make money" to pay for attorney fees for a family member. The man who was with her said the pseudoephedrine would be used to make meth.
Smith pleaded guilty to her charge and a sentencing hearing was scheduled for April 27 in Blount County Circuit Court.