Woman Gets Probation for Operating Mobile Meth Lab
A woman charged with operating a mobile methamphetamine lab in Casper earlier this year will serve three years of supervised probation for the crime, Natrona County Assistant District Attorney Mike Schafer said Tuesday.
Megan Marie Schwabel received probation instead of a three- to five-year prison term, provided she completes the felon rehabilitation program at the Casper Re-entry Center, Schafer said after her sentencing hearing before District Court Judge Thomas Sullins.
In August, Schwabel pleaded guilty to a single felony count of unlawful clandestine laboratory operations. The crime is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
In exchange for her guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to the suspended prison sentence and to dismiss five other criminal charges.
Schwabel was arrested after Casper police officers stopped a vehicle in the 2800 block of CY Avenue at 3:11 a.m. April 16.
The vehicle allegedly contained methamphetamine, as well as equipment and supplies used to manufacture the drug. Due to the hazardous nature of those materials, a special response by the Casper Fire Department was required.
The westbound lane of CY Avenue was shut down for a period of time while the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation processed evidence. Federal resources from Denver were called to the scene to handle the collection of hazardous chemicals and other materials.
Also arrested in connection with the incident was 37-year-old Jason Hays. Hays in July entered a guilty plea to a single count of unlawfully operating a clandestine laboratory.
Hays entered the guilty plea as part of a plea deal which is substantially the same as the deal given to Schwabel.