Amphetamine possession case in preliminary stages

Two people from Michigan charged with possession of materials used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, are in the preliminary stages of the legal system.

The couple was arrested for allegedly shoplifting Sudafed from Wal-Mart, 929 E. State St. Sudafed contains chemicals used to make methamphetamine.

Angela McNeil has been charged in Athens County, where the prosecutor’s office is awaiting test results of the chemicals, which could take several months, said C. David Warren, Athens County prosecutor.

At a preliminary hearing on Monday, evidence presented by the prosecution was judged insufficient to prove that McNeil possessed methamphetamine, said William Grim, McNeil’s attorney.

The evidence presented did show probable cause that McNeil was in possession of a large quantity of Sudafed. But possession of Sudafed, even in large quantities, is not a criminal offense, said Grim. The prosecution has not proven that McNeil intended to use the over-the-counter decongestant to manufacture the drug. McNeil was released on her own recognizance.

Dean McGinnis, who was arrested with McNeil, will be tried in Fairfield County, where there is a warrant out for his arrest. He is being held in an unspecified Ohio county on charges that may or may not be related to the case, said Maggie Hall, legal secretary at the Fairfield County prosecutor’s office.

­­ Mae Kowalke