Published: July 05, 2009 12:05 am      

Trial date set in meth case

A Sept. 8 trial date was set for two residents of an Anita Lane home accused of making methamphetamine following a pretrial hearing Thursday in Madison Circuit Court.

Jamie Hoevenaar, 21, and Danny Harrison, 29, both are charged with manufacturing methamphetamine following a search of the couple’s home by Central Kentucky Area Drug Task Force officers.

That search uncovered what officers believe was an active meth lab in addition to Coleman fuel, ammonium nitrate and lye, all ingredients used to manufacture the drug. Police also found a small quantity of marijuana during the search.

Hoevenaar also is charged with unlawful distribution of a methamphetamine precursor and possession of marijuana, while Harrison additionally is charged with unlawful possession of a methamphetamine precursor, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Prior to the couple’s appearance before Madison Circuit Judge William G. Clouse, Hoevenaar declined a plea agreement offered by the commonwealth’s attorney.

Marijuana trafficking charges dismissed

Two men had marijuana trafficking charges against them dismissed after a third man pleaded guilty and claimed the drug was his.

Santiago Leon, 25, and Alfonso Leon, 22, both of the 400 block of Hawthorne Drive, had faced charges of trafficking in between eight ounces and five pounds of marijuana after being pulled over for a traffic stop.

A third man in the vehicle, Franklin Murphy, 23, of the 200 block of Earlene Court, also was in the vehicle and faced the same charge. Murphy pleaded guilty Thursday and will receive two-and-a-half years in prison.

Because Murphy claimed the marijuana was his, charges against the Leons were dismissed, although neither will be released from the Madison County Detention Center because federal immigration officials have requested they be held in custody.

Rousey motion

withdrawn

Wes Browne, the attorney for Brandon Clay Rousey, appeared briefly to withdraw a motion he had filed in his client’s case, which is set for a three-day trial beginning July 14.

Rousey is charged with attempted first-degree unlawful transaction with a minor for allegedly sending sexually explicit text messages to a Madison Middle School student while working as a volunteer at the school.

Brian Smith may be reached at bsmith@ richmondregister.com or at 624-6694.