WILLMAR -- Jason Michael Larson, 35, of Appleton, will serve four years in prison for possessing the methamphetamine precursors with intent to manufacture the drug. The charge was filed against Larson after an Aug. 1 bust of a mobile meth lab in Svea.
In handing down the sentence in Kandiyohi County District Court, Judge Michael J. Thompson expressed concern that unless Larson changes his life, he will continue to revolve in and out of prison. He has already served two stints behind bars, the judge said.
"You have not been able to maintain yourself on the outside," the judge told Larson. "I hope you can take this to heart and not have to go back."
Larson was also sentenced to 24 months in prison for a fifth-degree controlled substance crime, for possessing meth during a May 13 traffic stop along state Highway 23. The sentences will be served concurrently, or at the same time. Larson was given credit for 167 days already served in jail. He must also pay a $50 fine, plus fees, on each charge and will be allowed to pay with prison earnings.
The charges were filed after an August incident in which he was found with a vehicle containing items used to manufacture meth.
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In accordance with a plea agreement signed Dec. 10, two felony charges were dismissed -- one for conspiracy to manufacture meth and the other for possessing meth precursors with intent to manufacture. Two gross misdemeanors for driving while impaired, plus a traffic misdemeanor and a petty misdemeanor for possessing drug paraphernalia for the May traffic stop were also dismissed.
Larson, Matthew David Hood, 32, of New London, and Nathaniel "George" Doty, 24, of Lake Lillian were each charged after an early morning incident Aug. 1 in which sheriff's deputies on routine patrol in Svea discovered a mobile meth lab in a vehicle. Hood has also pleaded guilty to possessing meth precursors with intent and will be sentenced Jan. 9. Doty was arrainged Dec. 12.
Hood and Doty ran while Larson was left standing at the car. Officers used the county K-9 unit to check the car and the dog signaled that he detected something in two places. Deputies and CEE-VI Drug Task Force agents searched the car and found numerous items used to make meth, including ephedrine pills, muriatic acid, brake fluid, a coffee pot and grinder, hot plate and coffee filters. They also found a rifle, a meth pipe, a digital scale and marijuana during the search.
During questioning after his arrest, Larson told officers he had cooked meth five times since March and that the men were on their way to get anhydrous ammonia to cook another batch when they were apprehended.
