A Ringtown woman cannot get her car back now because of criminal charges against her son, whom prosecutors allege was using the car to make methamphetamine, a Schuylkill County judge ruled Thursday.
"This car is the subject of an ongoing investigation," Judge John E. Domalakes said in denying the request of Mary G. Snyder, 74, for the return of her 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
That investigation involves Snyder's son, Duane H. Maurer, 50, of Fountain Springs, who is awaiting trial on charges he operated a meth lab in his residence.
Prosecutors said Maurer was driving his mother's car just after midnight July 9 when Shenandoah police stopped him for a traffic violation.
"The vehicle exited the right lane, crossed over the double yellow line almost in its entirety," Shenandoah Patrolman Christopher Zubris testified.
Zubris said he stopped the car and found much more than he thought he would. He said he found six hypodermic needles, five lithium batteries, a switchblade knife and a thermometer on Maurer, prompting him to impound the car and obtain a search warrant.
He said that search revealed, among other items, a bottle of starting fluid, a container of clog remover, a miniature food chopper with residue, batteries, a digital camera, a camcorder, a funnel and a measuring cup.
Those items all are consistent with the production of methamphetamine, an undercover county detective testified.
"The vehicle was basically a mobile meth lab," Assistant District Attorney Robert M. Reedy said in asking Domalakes to deny Snyder's request. Reedy also said prosecutors would be seeking forfeiture of the car.
Snyder had testified the car is hers and is not a luxury.
"I need my car for obvious reasons," including doctor visits and shopping, Snyder said. "I don't know anything about drugs."
Maurer testified he had bought items for his mother's swimming pool and also had some of his medical supplies in the car. He is charged with four counts of possession of red phosphorous and one each of manufacture of a controlled substance and risking a catastrophe.
Butler Township police allege Maurer and Deborah A. Reedy, 59, operated a meth lab on June 10 at their 406 Catherine St. home.
Police said they entered the home after neighbors reported an unusual odor coming from it. Once inside, police said, they called firefighters, who detected a high concentration of an ammonia-based odor.
Maurer also faces other charges in other cases, and is in prison awaiting trial.
Domalakes' ruling does not preclude Snyder from filing another petition in the future, nor does it bar prosecutors from eventually seeking forfeiture of the car. Instead of taking her case to trial, a Luzerne County woman pleaded guilty Friday in Schuylkill County Court to two charges stemming from a September 2012 incident in West Penn Township.
Shauntay N. Armstead, 28, of Hazleton, pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering another person and speeding, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of driving under the influence, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Judge John E. Domalakes, who had been scheduled to preside over Armstead's nonjury trial, instead accepted her plea and sentenced her to serve 12 months on probation and pay costs, a $57 fine and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.
West Penn Township police charged Armstead with driving 61 mph in a 45 mph zone on Sept. 7, 2012, in the township.
Also on Friday, a Ringtown woman originally imprisoned for drug-related crimes returned to prison after having her parole and probation revoked.
Megan McCabe, 20, must spend four to 12 months in prison for having her probation revoked, and could stay behind bars until May 15, 2015, if she violates it or her parole again, Judge James P. Goodman ruled.
"Parole is a privilege, not a right," Goodman told McCabe. "You're still involved in drugs. You're still doing drugs."
Goodman also ordered McCabe to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
McCabe originally pleaded guilty on Jan. 31 to delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Goodman accepted her plea and, on March 20, sentenced her to serve 30 days to 23 months in prison, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Schuylkill County detectives had charged McCabe with selling drugs on Feb. 7, 2012.
Goodman also warned the defendant not to follow the path of her sister, Kristen N. McCabe, 20, of Shenandoah, who served state prison time for drug crimes and had to deliver her baby while an inmate at State Correctional Institution/Muncy.
"Stay away from the drugs," he told her.
