Buttery's sentencing continued

Monday, February 23, 2009

Sentencing for a Russellville man convicted of three methamphetamine-related felonies has been continued to March 2.

On Jan. 14, a jury in Putnam County Circuit Court convicted Chad Buttery, 28, on charges of Class B felony dealing in meth 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.

The day he was convicted, Buttery's sentencing was set for Feb. 9. A request from the Putnam County Adult Probation Department to continue the sentencing was granted on Feb. 4, and the date was re-set for Feb. 26. The latest continuance was requested by the State of Indiana.

Buttery's trial took one day, and the jury deliberated for about two hours before returning with a verdict. Buttery was immediately taken into custody and lodged at the Putnam County Jail when his verdict was handed down.

Judge Matthew Headley will sentence Buttery.

A Class B felony is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, with an advisory sentence of six years, while the Class C felonies are punishable by up to eight years, with an advisory sentence of four years.

The habitual offender designation means Buttery's sentence will be enhanced by a minimum of 10 years and as many as 30 years.

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 was arrested and lodged in the Putnam County Jail, where his bond was set at $30,000 cash. His jury trial was originally set for Dec. 3, but was vacated on Dec. 2, when Buttery was released from jail on his own recognizance. Due to the filing of Class A misdemeanor battery charges in Montgomery County, Buttery's Putnam County recognizance bond was revoked and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest on Jan. 12.

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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