FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP, abc24.com) - A judge has ordered an eight-year prison sentence for a man caught making methamphetamine in a Wal-Mart store in Springdale.
Circuit Judge William Storey on Monday sentenced 39-year-old Russell Shepard to 20 years, with 12 years suspended, after Shepard pleaded guilty to a drug-related charge.
The Northwest Arkansas Times reports (http://bit.ly/tQhj0e ) Shepard drew attention on March 16 from store security who thought he was shoplifting. Police say it turned out Shepard had concealed a bottle that contained ingredients for manufacturing methamphetamine.
The so-called one-pot method has largely supplanted larger meth lab operations. But the chemical mix is still volatile and the bottles pose a risk of explosion.
Police say they don't know why Shepard had the bottle with him in the store. Shepard had no prior criminal record.
