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Last updated on Sunday, April 29, 2012
(BLOOMFIELD) - A rural Bloomfield man, who finds himself in trouble with law authorities for the third time this month, faces an October jury trial in a methamphetamine-related case.
Nick Schneider, of the Greene County Daily World reports, Johnny D. Mills, 29, who lives on County Road 275S, was arrested Monday on his latest case.
On Wednesday, he was formally charged with dealing methamphetamine-finances the manufacture of - a class B felony; unlawful possession of or use of a legend drug - a class D felony; and possession of paraphernalia - a class A misdemeanor.
During his initial hearing in Greene Circuit Court conducted by videoconference from the Greene County Jail, a 9 a.m. jury trial on Oct. 2 was scheduled. A pre-trial conference is set for Sept. 5.
Circuit Judge Erik Allen appointed Greene County Public Defender Alan Baughman to represent Mills.
The case originated Monday afternoon when Greene County Sheriff Terry Pierce received a tip that Mills was passed out with a hypodermic needle stuck in his arm.
Mills was located in a back room at C&S Tire Shop, located on State Road 54W - west of Bloomfield - where he is employed, according to a probable cause affidavit filed by Greene County Sheriff's Department Det. George Dallaire.
A Greene County Ambulance Service unit was dispatched to the scene to check on Mills' medical condition. Mills was revived, however, Dallaire noted that he was unsteady and his speech was slurred.
Mills declined transport to the hospital for medical care and told police "he was just tired because he was up all night partying," according to the probable cause affidavit.
Dallaire noted that in clear view of authorities near where Mills had been lying was an uncapped syringe and containers with white residue in them. On a nearby closet shelf was a clear plastic bottle that contained a red-colored sludge in the bottom that was topped by a layer of clear liquid.
The detective stated in the affidavit that he recognized the bottle as being part of the methamphetamine manufacturing process.
Police later received permission from the business owner to search the premise.
During the search, officers found other signs that meth manufacturing was taking place in the tire shop. On a work table and hammer was white residue.
"This area looked like someone had crushed pseudoepherdrine pills and spills some of the contents of a cold pack, which contains ammonium nitrate. These items are used to manufacture methamphetamine," Dallaire wrote.
In addition, a puncture ether can was found on the floor.
"Meth cooks puncture ether cans after the propellant has been expelled from the can so they can pour ether into their containers. Cold packs are used in the 'one pot' method of manufacturing methamphetamine, instead of anhydrous ammonia," according to Dallaire's affidavit.
Dallaire also found five Sudafed blister packs that contained pseudoepherdrine - a main ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Outside the shop, GCDS Det. Chris McDonald located lithium battery strippings, also a precursor used in the manufacturing process.
Police also found an empty package marked "Heavenly Soak, Energy Soak 500 mg", which is bath salts; several more syringes, a small cooler and gel cold medication. Inside the cooler was an unmarked pill bottle that contained 109 yellow capsules - identified as Gabapentin 300mg, a prescription medication.
During an interview with police, Mills said he was not trying to cook meth, but didn't give authorities any other information.
"I asked Johnny to tell me the whole story and he said the story would admit his guilt. I told Johnny I thought someone else may have been involved and he said, 'It don't matter, you got one guy ... you caught me red-handed'," Dallaire wrote in the affidavit.
This was Mills' third arrest in a month.
On April 8, he was arrested and charged with battery resulting in bodily injury - a class A misdemeanor. His initial hearing in that case is set for May 21.
On April 7, Mills was charged with possession of a Schedule I, II, III or IV controlled substance - a class D felony, public intoxication - a class B misdemeanor; and possession of marijuana - a class A misdemeanor. His jury trial in that case will also be conducted on Oct. 2, the same day as his other drug case.
Mills is being held without bond because of a pending bond revocation motion that has also been filed against him for allegedly committing several crimes while out on a previously posted bond.
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