'Shake and Bake' Meth Lab Defendant Pleads Guilty

James Frederick Given

A Craigsville man charged with operating a "shake and bake" meth lab on Seamon Hill near Camden on Gauley last October, 2012 entered a plea of guilty in Circuit Court Monday to the felony charge of Operating or Attempting to Operate a Clandestine Drug Lab.

James Frederick Given, age 52, pleaded guilty, waived his right to a pre-sentence report, and was then sentenced by Circuit Judge Jack Alsop to not less than 4 years but not more than 20 years in prison. Ordinarily, the maximum sentence for a conviction of this type is a minimum of 2 years but not more than 10 years; however, Given had a prior drug felony conviction on his record which subjected him to double the normal penalty.

Example of "shake and bake" meth lab.

A "shake and bake" meth lab is a portable setup used to make low grade methamphetamine. Also known as the "one pot" method, shake and bake meth is usually produced in a two-liter soda bottle. A few cold pills are mixed with common, but noxious, household chemicals and produces enough meth for the user to get a few hits.

According to the original criminal complaint filed against Given, State Police Trooper E.E. Bostic and Webster County Deputy Sheriff Rick Clayton were advised that Amy Dodrill was staying in a camper on Seamon Hill near Camden on Gauley. On October 8, 2012, the officers located a female, identified as Dorneda Cool, coming out of the camper and was asked if anyone else was in the camper and she said she was the only one in the camper. Trooper Bostic noticed another person in the camper and asked that person to exit the camper. 

Another example of "shake and bake" meth lab materials.

Given then exited the camper and Bostic observed items that appeared to be a "shake and bake" meth lab. Dorneda Cool then gave Bostic written and verbal consent to search the camper. Bostic found an active meth lab, drug paraphernalia (needles, pipes, and pills), and ingredients use to make meth (coffee filters, salt, Coleman fuel, and drain cleaner). Bostic then took a recorded statement from Given wherein Given admitted he was operating a meth lab. Cool gave a statement that she bought Sudafed for Given.

Given's case had been bound over from Magistrate Court for consideration by the Grand Jury. Given had not yet been indicted by a Grand Jury, but waived his right to have his case presented to the Grand Jury, and he agreed to enter his guilty plea in Circuit Court. Given has been incarcerated since October 9, 2012, and is currently at the Central Regional Jail.