Crime & Safety
Mentor Man Accused Of Running Meth Lab Arraigned In Common Please Court
James Sample is accused of illegal manufacturing of drugs, illegal assembly of meth, aggravated possession of drugs and possessing criminal tools
A out of his home was arraigned Friday on drug charges in Lake County Court of Common Pleas.
James Sample, 45, was charged with illegal manufacturing of drugs, illegal assembly of meth, aggravated possession of drugs and possessing criminal tools.
Sample pleaded not guilty on all charges and remained in prison, unable to post his $25,000 bond.
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Sample was arrested on Jan. 27 when Mentor Police and Lake County Narcotics agents raided the mechanic's garage where he lived on East Avenue.
Authorities found several of the tools and ingredients for making meth -- Sgt. Brad Kemp of the Lake County Narcotics Agency said, including:
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- empty lithium battery casings
- drain cleaner
- a coffee grinder
- funnels
- coffee filters
- a homemade cylinder with a gauge thought to be used for meth production
- scales
- and an HCL gas generator used to turn methamphetamine oil into powder.
Authorities also found long guns, finished meth and homemade meth pipes made from light bulbs, Kemp said.
Narcotics agents think the lab was used to make methamphetamine via the shake-and-bake or one-pot method, which involves combining the ingredients in a single sealed container and shaking it to increase the pressure.
The raid capped a 3-month joint investigation, Kemp said.
Sample faces up to 15 years in prison if he is convicted on all counts.
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