CASE OF INTEREST

Date: September 6, 2001

Case: People v. Ronald Thompson

Contact: Joe Chavez
Major Narcotics
Telephone: 874-7113

District Attorney Jan Scully announced today that Ronald Thompson, 48, was found guilty of manufacturing methamphetamine, following a jury trial. He now faces a sentence of seven years in state prison.

On March 8, 2001, a fire broke out in Mr. Thompson's barn located in Rio Linda. While investigating the cause of the fire, law enforcement officers found a large scale, operational, clandestine methamphetamine laboratory in an adjoining automobile repair shed. Narcotic experts testified that the methamphetamine laboratory was capable of making 8 to 14 pounds of finished methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $56,000.

The jury rejected Mr. Thompson's testimony that he had no knowledge of the methamphetamine laboratory. They found Mr. Thompson guilty of aiding and abetting in the manufacturing of methamphetamine for knowingly allowing his property to be used for that purpose.

Deputy District Attorney Joseph Chavez stated "The jury's verdict should send a message that the community will not tolerate property owners allowing their property to be used for illegal narcotic activity."

The Honorable John Mendez will sentence Mr. Thompson on October 9, 2001.

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