Reed gets 16 years for meth lab

Charges in other cases still pending

By Michael R. Moser / mmoser@crossville-chronicle.com

Gary Thomas (Bulldog) Reed skipped out on his jury during his trial for methamphetamine making so authorities wanted to make sure he didn't miss his sentencing hearing.

In jail since his arrest April, Reed, 35, finally faced Cumberland County Criminal Court Judge Leon Burns last Wednesday and learned his fate — 16 years in prison as a range 2 offender, meaning he is not eligible for parole. The jury that convicted Reed also assessed a $100,000 fine.

On top of that, the justice system here is not through with Reed. He still has cases of initiation of the process to manufacture methamphetamine in a separate incident, and theft more than $10,000, on the Criminal Court docket.

Last week Reed's attorney, Howard Upchurch of Pikeville, filed notice of appeal of Reed's latest conviction and a hearing on the motion for a new trial will be held Oct. 19.

Testifying for the state last week during the sentencing hearing was state probation officer Danny Williams, who discussed Reed's four prior convictions for charges ranging from attempt to manufacture meth to vehicular assault and attempted aggravated assault.

Williams also testified that Reed had violated parole by getting a new charge, and had in the past violated conditions of probation.

The probation officer also testified that Reed refused to fill out a pre-sentence report for the court prior to Wednesday's hearing.

Testifying for Reed was his brother, Dale Reed, who told the court that his brother operated a tree service business and was a good father to his two children.

Assistant District Attorney Amanda Hunter argued that the latest conviction now places five marks on Reed's record and that future offenses would classify Reed as a persistent offender.

"He has a lack of respect for the justice system," Hunter said.

Upchurch argued that Reed "has never hurt anyone," and that he felt an appropriate sentence would be more in the 8 to 12 years range.

Burns disagreed, and while the judge did not give the maximum 20-year sentence, he did sentence Reed to 16 years.

In other cases on the docket, the following took place.

Arraignment

•Christopher W. Davis, aggravated statutory rape, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Gary Thomas Reed, felony failure to appear, Public Defender's Office appointed to represent the defendant; continued to Sept. 19.

•Paula Brenda Selby, five counts of theft more than $10,000 and two counts of theft less than $10,000, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•James Jeremiah Pugh, three counts of sale or delivery of more than one-half ounce of marijuana, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Brian C. Rector, sale or delivery of more than .5 grams of cocaine, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Christine Desiree Savage, two counts each of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Eugene A. Sparks, sale or delivery of a schedule III drug and violation of the drug-free school zone act, Robert Zecher appointed to represent the defendant; continued to Sept. 25.

•James Edgar Vandever, possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana for sale or delivery, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Charity Ann Williams, sale and delivery of a schedule II drug and sale and delivery of a schedule III drug, Public Defender's Office appointed to represent the defendant; continued to Nov. 25.

•John Henry Bernard, sale and delivery of a schedule III drug, Kevin Bryant appointed to represent the defendant; continued to Nov. 25.

•Rita Denise Starnes Bohannon, two counts of sale and delivery of more than one-half ounce of marijuana and possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana, continued to Nov. 25.

•Kristy Nacole Braunm, two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug in a drug-free school zone, Public Defender's Office appointed to represent the defendant; continued to Nov. 25.

•Jeffery L. Bridges, two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug in a drug-free school zone, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Kenneth Dean Brown, three counts each of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug, Robert Zecher appointed to represent the defendant; continued to Nov. 25.

•Donathan G. Davis, sale or delivery of a schedule III drug, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Jamie J. Davis, two counts each of forgery and passing a forged instrument, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Constance Ann Gray, two counts each of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug, continued to Sept. 19 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Jason L. Koch, two counts of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug and theft less than $500, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Brian Lee Lance, sale and delivery of a schedule III drug, continued to Oct. 19 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

Return with an attorney

•Rita Denise Starnes Bohannon, possession of more than .5 grams of methamphetamine for resale and possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana for resale, continued to Nov. 25.

•Timothy Carter, sexual battery by an authority figure, Public Defender's Office appointed to represent the defendant; to pay $250 fee and continued to Jan. 27.

•James Jeremiah Pugh, possession of more than .5 grams of methamphetamine for resale and possession of more than one-half ounce of marijuana for resale, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•Joshua A. Rector, two counts of fraudulent use of a credit card, continued to Nov. 25.

•Charles David Sprunger, sexual exploitation of a minor, continued to Oct. 19 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

•John Joseph Thompson, four counts of aggravated burglary, four counts of theft more than $1,000 and vandalism more than $500, continued to Sept. 25 at which time defendant is to return to court with an attorney.

Text Only