CLEARFIELD – The case against a Clearfield man accused of having a methamphetamine lab in his apartment was discussed during motions court in Clearfield County.
Mark Charles Hackett, 53, an inmate of state prison, is charged with possessing red phosphorous with intent to manufacture a controlled substance, causing or risking a catastrophe, criminal attempt-manufacture/delivery/possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, operating a methamphetamine lab and deposits, store, or disposes of chemical waste.
These charges stem from an incident in October when a parole officer who had been tipped off by an informant found several ingredients for making methamphetamines in Hackett’s Clearfield Borough residence.
Hackett’s attorney, Gary Knaresboro filed a motion to suppress the items found as evidence.
An agent with the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Bureau of Narcotics, Investigation and Drug Control testified to the events leading up to the officer’s visit to the home.
As early as July, the agent said that they were receiving information on Hackett, who was on state parole. The agent discussed this with Keith Summerson, who was Hackett’s state parole officer.
On Oct. 6, a confidential informant was interviewed at the Clearfield Borough Police Station.
Sgt. Greg Neeper testified that he was the one who interviewed the informant. Summerson was there and listened in on the information given.
Neeper said when his shift ended that day they were still discussing how to proceed in this case. Options included doing a controlled buy or pulling the garbage. The concern was for the safety of the building and that the evidence would disappear.
He agreed there was not enough evidence yet to get a search warrant. The informant had photos of the precursors used in making meth, but Neeper said you couldn’t tell if the photos were from that building or at another location.
In his testimony, Summerson explained he decided to search the residence because he suspected that Hackett was not compliant with the conditions of his parole.
When he left the police station after the interview, he didn’t know what the police were going to do, but he “had to do something to see if he was compliant and to protect public safety.”
Testimony at the preliminary hearing was that a female answered the door of the residence while Hackett was lying on the couch. Hackett was handcuffed and placed in the kitchen.
Officer Jacob Rhymestine watched him while Summerson searched the apartment. The female told him there was a backpack hidden in the kitchen ceiling tiles.
When he checked the ceiling Summerson pushed the tiles and could see a black bag. Inside it they found a bottle with battery shavings, a bottle with a white substance, a Coleman fuel canister and baggies with white pellets.
Because these items are precursors for cooking methamphetamines, the search was stopped. Summerson asked Rymestine to get a search warrant.
A report from a lab concluded that some of the residue found indicated an effort to make methamphetamines had been successful.
Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman gave both sides until June 24 to submit briefs on the suppression issue. He will issue his ruling after reviewing the information. This case is scheduled for jury selection on June 18.
Hackett’s previous drug charges include possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in two cases. He pleaded guilty in July of 2012 and was sentenced to serve nine months to five years in state prison. In July of 2005, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to 60 days in jail and two years probation.