Buttery receives 35-year sentence

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

A Russellville man received a total prison sentence of 35 years Monday in Putnam County Circuit Court.

On Jan. 15 a jury convicted Chad Buttery, 28, of Class B felony dealing in methamphetamine and Class C felonies possession of anhydrous ammonia and possession of chemical reagents. In addition, the jury found that Buttery should be deemed a habitual offender.

Judge Matthew Headley sentenced Buttery to two six-year sentences with four years executed and two years probation on each of the Class C felonies, which will run concurrently to each other and consecutively with a 14-year, all-executed sentence for the Class B felony. Headley then enhanced Buttery's sentence by 15 years for the habitual offender designation.

In court, Buttery confessed to having a meth addiction, but denied he had committed the crimes for which he was being sentenced.

"So you're still professing your innocence?" Deputy Prosecutor Jim Hanner asked.

A stone-faced Buttery replied in the affirmative.

"Yes, I am," he said.

Buttery was arrested on Oct. 3 after Greencastle Police Department Officer Chris Helmer stopped a vehicle Buttery was driving due to a non-working license plate light. According to court documents, that traffic stop yielded the discovery that Buttery was in possession of meth precursors used in meth production, and that "further investigation led to the discovery of fleeing suspects and live marijuana growth in a nearby residence."

When Helmer stopped the car, Buttery and another male subject took off on foot, court documents said. Helmer lost both men, but returned to the still-running vehicle, where he discovered what he believed to be the components of a rolling meth lab.

Buttery was located at the residence of his brother Frederick Buttery in the 1000 block of Avenue E.

Buttery and his court-appointed attorney James Recker argued that Buttery never said some of the things he was quoted as saying in a pre-sentence investigation report prepared by Putnam County Adult Probation officer Johninda Taylor.

The report stated that although Buttery has children was court-ordered to pay $62 per week in support, he has never made any payments. Buttery countered that he had "made a couple of payments."

Taylor also said in her report that Buttery had confessed to her that, between the time he was released from jail on his own recognizance in December and his jury trial in January, he used meth continuously. Buttery maintained he "had a chance to use, but turned it down." The report stated Buttery told Taylor he never wanted to quit using meth, which Buttery disputed.

"I told her that in the past I'd never had the willpower to quit," he said.

Taylor stood by her report.

"Everything I wrote in my report, he stated to me," she said.

Buttery said he had never been to drug rehabilitation before, but was interested in pursuing it.

Buttery's fiancée, Jamie Mitchell, took the stand and said she believed Buttery had a desire to kick his drug habit.

"He never had much going for him before," she said. "Now he feels like he has something to live for."

The pre-sentence investigation showed that, including juvenile cases, Buttery had been involved in 19 cases in the Putnam County Courts. Taylor said he had been sentenced to DOC time in the past, and had violated his probations numerous times. Buttery had also violated the terms of home detention in the past.

Buttery's criminal history includes convictions in Montgomery County for Class C felony conspiracy to commit burglary in January 2001 and Class D felony theft in December 2005. In both of those cases he violated the terms of his probation more than once and was sent to prison to serve suspended sentences. According to information at the Indiana Department of Corrections Web site, Buttery was last released from prison on July 25.

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  • Good luck, Chad. We just do not need you on the streets anymore. See you in a decade or two - Sadly, I do not think you will be an outstanding citizen by then ... but see you then.

    -- Posted by GRNT on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 6:05 AM
  • After all these years of using drugs he just now got the urge to kick the habit, he finally has a reason to quit? Sure he does, he is going to jail. That is reason enough.

    -- Posted by mad-mom on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 6:11 AM
  • Something positive-he needs to be off the street-a definite threat to society.

    -- Posted by peace2019 on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 6:57 AM
  • So, exactly how many actual years will this loser have to spend behind bars?

    One down, two or three to go!

    -- Posted by proudmomma on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 7:54 AM
  • It is a relief to know that after all these years a man like Chad will hopefully be saved from himself and that others may no longer be influenced by his negative behavior. The Buttery family has long plagued our county with overwhelming delinquency. I just wish the courts would give even stronger punishment for those who have such an obvious past.

    -- Posted by bluntbuthonest on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 10:34 AM
  • buttery, cant yall show him some remorse he was trying to quit i know it in my heart and id belive the man if he says he didnt do it...its just the putnam county court system convicting a inocent man and trying to put him away...i would know ive been through the same...thats why i dont live in putnam county anny more :)

    -- Posted by big ben on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 11:49 AM
  • Okay big ben, I mean no offense to your relationship or opinion of what has happened to Chad, but can you honestly say that......"its just the putnam county court system convicting a innocent man and trying to put him away..."

    He has been involved in 19, 19 different cases in Putnam County alone and however many more in Montgomery.

    I went to school with the Buttery's, but it has been years since I have seen any of them...I see that not a lot has changed since then....

    -- Posted by roachdalekid on Wed, Mar 4, 2009, at 3:57 PM
  • There are no winners when it comes to meth. Putting Chad behind bars for many years won't change anything but cost taypayers money to keep keep him locked up. This child needs help not locked up for most of his life.

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights on Thu, Mar 5, 2009, at 2:08 PM
  • Well let me tell the truth. This guy has cost tax payers lots of money all ready. He has a public defender, Been lock up at lease 19 times, And has cause havoc with law abiding families stealing things from hard workin Americans. I agree with some of the comments that he is going to cost tax payers money bein in prison but think about this. What happends when he adavances his crimes to kill someone. He is a druggie druggies need money to suport their habbit. Are you willin to release this guy and take a chance of him killing someone you love Im NOT. Capital punishment would save tax payers millions.

    -- Posted by woldo100 on Thu, Mar 5, 2009, at 6:02 PM
  • Oh yeah big ben Ive lived in putnam county all my life and so has seven generations of my family. None of us has any problem with law inforcement. So that brings me to the conclusion that you are not a law abiding citzen and you get the heat that you deserve.

    -- Posted by woldo100 on Thu, Mar 5, 2009, at 6:05 PM
  • capital punishment? I hope I have misread this. We are suppose to show compassion towards people and help when we can. Now, I agree that help can only come to those who chose to accept it but capital punishment is going to far.We live in a complex world.There are no simple, easy solutions to this problem.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Mon, Mar 9, 2009, at 7:22 AM
  • This child needs help not locked up for most of his life.

    -- Posted by 1stamendrights on Thu, Mar 5, 2009, at 2:08 PM

    This "child" is 28 and has been involved in 19 cases in the Putnam County Courts.

    According to information at the Indiana Department of Corrections Web site, Buttery was last released from prison on July 25.

    I'd say he is getting exactly what he deserves.

    Thank you, Putnam County Justice System, for doing your job.

    -- Posted by ThinkPeopleThink on Mon, Mar 9, 2009, at 12:13 PM
  • There are much worse threats to society than the obvious crimes of this man among ignorance,intolerance,hatred and the judgmental attitude of others. I do not know this man but I imagine his family is in pain over the slander and hatred in this commentary. I have stated that I agree that a punishment needs to be served. What astounds me is all knowing,narrow conceited--yes I said conceited- view points so often expressed here. Walk in another man's shoes for a mile before you pass judgment. I do believe the scripture also states "judge less you be judged". The general attitude seems to be that we can show compassion to some of the same stature as ourselves but not to others because they are not the good law abiding citizens that we are..hence the term conceited.I may be wrong in my viewpoint..I am sure many of you will feel that way. No matter....in the grand scheme of things judgment will be called on our thoughts and attitudes as well as deeds.I do hope that you are shown more mercy than what has been directed towards this man.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Tue, Mar 10, 2009, at 4:24 PM
  • Before anyone jumps on the bandwagon to correct me...it is judge not less you be judged.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Tue, Mar 10, 2009, at 4:26 PM
  • I feel no need to listen to you quote your scripture.It reflects your ignorance that you feel the need to lean so much on a text that is more written history than the word of God. I know God as surely as you do sir,but my God is not filled with the same righteous contempt that you have. I have been blessed with freewill and the ability to think for myself. You can condemn me for my beliefs.You can condemn this man for his unlawfulness. In the end you will have to pay for your judgment -- the judgment you have against anyone who thinks differently than you do. Intolerance---that is the malignant tumor that needs to be removed from society.

    Strange bedfellows indeed....

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Tue, Mar 10, 2009, at 8:53 PM
  • Well, I throughly enjoyed that. You responded exactly as I expected you to. My interpretation of scripture is different from yours...because you take every word literally instead of thinking for yourself.You have nothing but the scripture to back your opinions. So relax...go read your bible....I have no further need to defend my beliefs but obviously you do. This commentary started over a STUPID remark concerning capital pounishment and has turned into a sermon. Well, all I can ask is of you is to save your sermons for those who care...I DO NOT...and I doubt anyone esle does either.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Wed, Mar 11, 2009, at 3:15 PM
  • One more thing ....the bible was written by man for man and filled with the beliefs of man. It is no more the word of GOD than this but rather a guideline. I have no beef with the bible only with those who misuse it. Far to many people have died and cultures decimated over the so called word of GOD as interpreted by those like you....history has shown this time and time again.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Wed, Mar 11, 2009, at 4:39 PM
  • Well,heck maybe you can organize a public stoning to get rid of the habitual criminals and any other undesirables...maybe sell popcorn and cokes...have a fundraiser at the same time...and do all of it in the name of GOD....people who can quote scripture but still think killing is OK in certain circumstances.....well it's a bit hypocritical...after all 'Thou shalt not kill' is one of the ten commandments. One twisted around to serve man. That's okay..one of these days you'll figure it out. As for me..this is the last word you will hear from me in this commentary. I could write for the next month and you would still argue your point or lack of. I don't have the time or energy to waste on this. And besides no one gives a flip anyway about our squabbling.

    Have a nice life,sir.

    -- Posted by citizenoftheworld on Wed, Mar 11, 2009, at 6:14 PM
  • The voice of religion.

    Not all deign to live by those restrictive, outdated set of rules. And using this forum as a soapbox will not endear you to all as you would have yourself believe. Otherwise churches would be packed to overflowing on Sunday. And we all know that not to be true, so please, save it for the Sunday sermon.

    -- Posted by reeltime on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, at 4:17 AM
  • Ah yes, the old "you must have a problem" defense.

    I am not one who needs a loose interpretation of a book to feed my soul. I am a true believer who does not need religion. The faithful of the future. As will be my children and their children too.

    "All things are inconstant except the faith in the soul, which changes all things and fills their inconstancy with light, but though I seem to be driven out of my country as a misbeliever I have found no man yet with a faith like mine."

    James Joyce

    -- Posted by reeltime on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, at 2:32 PM
  • Well said. And yes, it would be un-american as we know it. But the problem lies with your parishioners. They do not always act in the manner that you describe of holding to God regardless of what day of the week it is. And the implied perception that the 1 day of the week is the only one that counts is what brings on that sort of behavior. And that sort of "weekday" behavior is what gets me going about "Sunday" religion. But nonetheless, you are absolutely correct. Relegating one day of the week to find our spiritual center is not the way it should be done. If we do not search for our center day in and day out then we are lost in the woods and never to be found.

    "The final wisdom of life requires not the annulment of incongruity but the achievement of serenity within and above it."

    Reinhold Niebuhr

    -- Posted by reeltime on Thu, Mar 12, 2009, at 6:17 PM
  • Ephesians 4:29

    -- Posted by Aaronmwall on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 9:22 AM
  • Some are more well read then others I guess. Try it.

    -- Posted by reeltime on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 10:46 AM
  • The "well said" refers to a post by the Pastor that has inexplicably disappeared. ?

    -- Posted by reeltime on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 5:20 PM
  • I see nothing wrong with your post. Very astute actually. Maybe one of your "competitors" is taking exception.

    Though a response would be more appropriate I would think, clearly some people just aren't up to the task.

    -- Posted by reeltime on Fri, Mar 13, 2009, at 6:54 PM