Trio of Meth Makers Receive Prison Sentences

Three persons accused of acquiring meth ingredients, making meth, and conspiracy were all sentenced to prison yesterday in court proceedings before Webster County Circuit Judge Jack Alsop.

Timothy John Miller

Timothy John Miller, age 34, was originally indicted by the September Grand Jury for 13 counts of Possession of Precursors used to make meth, 2 counts of Conspiracy, and 1 count of Operating or Attempting to Operate a meth lab. As part of his plea agreement with the State, Miller agreed to plead guilty to the felony crimes of Operating or Attempting to Operate a Clandestine Drug Laboratory and Possession of Precursors in exchange for a dismissal of the other counts in the Indictment.

Miller, who had been out on bond awaiting sentencing, learned his fate Monday when Judge Alsop sent him to prison for a term of not less than two but not more than 10 years on each of the two felonies, for a total combined sentence of not less than four but not more than 20 years in prison. Miller was represented by Buckhannon lawyer Steven Nanners.

According to the original criminal complaint filed against Miller by State Police Trooper S.G. Blake, a complaint was received that Miller was cooking meth on May 12, 2012. State Police and members of the Webster County Sheriff's Department went to Miller's residence in Webster Springs and found a meth lab on the back porch. Miller then signed a consent to search his residence and police found coffee filters, lithium batteries, Claratin, rubber tubing, and bottles, all commonly used to make meth. Miller gave a confession that Jonathan McCourt was there to assist in making meth and had done so on three separate occasions. Miller also told police that Tracy McCourt brought him lithium batteries and cold medicine containing pseudo ephedrine.

Tracy Lynn McCourt

Tracy Lynn McCourt, age 31, was originally indicted by the September Grand Jury for 6 counts of Possession of Precursors, 2 counts of Conspiracy, and 1 count of Operating or Attempting to Operate a meth lab. As part of her plea agreement with the State, McCourt agreed to plead guilty to an Information charging her with the felony crime of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance, being meth. In exchange for her guilty plea, the State dismissed the Indictment. 

McCourt, who has been incarcerated since September 4, 2012, was sentenced by Judge Alsop to not less than one but not more than five years in prison. McCourt was represented by Clarksburg lawyer Garth Beck. The facts listed in the criminal complaint filed against McCourt are similar to the facts listed in the complaints filed against Miller.

Jonathan George McCourt

Jonathan George McCourt, age 38, was originally indicted by the September Grand Jury for 3 counts of Possession of Precursors, 2 counts of Conspiracy, and 1 count of Operating or Attempting to Operate a Clandestine Drug Laboratory. As part of his plea agreement with the State, McCourt agreed to plead guilty to the felony crimes of Conspiracy and Operating or Attempting to Operate a Clandestine Drug Lab. The other counts of the Indictment were dismissed.

McCourt has been incarcerated since January 5, 2013. Judge Alsop sentenced him to prison for not less than one but not more than five years on the Conspiracy charge and for not less than two but not more than ten years on the Operating or Attempting to Operate a drug lab charge, for a total combined sentence of not less than three but not more than 15 years in prison. McCourt was representing by Gassaway lawyer Daniel Grindo. The facts listed in the criminal complaint filed against McCourt are similar to the facts listed in the complaints filed against Miller and Tracy McCourt.