MINIGH WILL BE TRIED ON METH CHARGES - Judge Evans Denies Less Restrictive DUI Sentence

(01/25/2006)

Danny Minigh appears before Judge Evans
over meth charges with attorney Rocky Holmes

A former Webster County man, Danny Minigh, 55, was granted a continuance to obtain further information through a discovery process regarding his arrest in Braxton County in 2004.

Judge Evans said certain recordings made by the State Police need to be admitted into evidence.

Minigh was indicated in Calhoun last fall for manufacturing a controlled substance, one count; operating a clandestine drug lab, one count; conspiracy to commit manufacturing a controlled substance.

Minigh (pictured left) is already being held in Central Regional Jail regarding charges in Braxton County.

A trail date in Calhoun Circuit Court is being scheduled.

In the meth lab case, Michael "Bub" Jones, 33, of Grantsville, was sentenced in December, after he plead guilty to conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance, connected to the operation of a meth lab discovered on Hog Knob Hill.

Minigh plead not guilty to the same incident, after State Police in Grantsville confiscated a clandestine drug lab used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine at the Jones residence on Hog Knob Hill.

The arrest unfolded following a traffic stop at Burnsville, where several individuals appeared to be linked to the creation of a lab.

Braxton State Police stopped a vehicle and observed ingredients used in meth production, namely acetone, decongestants, Red Devil lye, gas line anti-freeze and other items.

James "Bub" Jones reportedly told police that Minigh had gone to several different stores purchasing ingredients for meth production. He said Minigh had come to his house asking to store the lab on his property.

State Police said the van contained receipts from several different stores. Some stores limit the purchase of meth ingredients, requiring the drug producer to visit many different locations. The men reportedly went to at least ten different stores.

KEENER SENT TO CENTRAL REGIONAL

Judge Thomas Evans III sentenced Calhoun resident Jimmy Keener, 42, (pictured left) to one year in jail, related to a DUI offense. Keener's attorney Rocky Holmes wanted home confinement, but Judge Evans said "Jimmy can't stay away from alcohol."

"He has had four or five DUI charges," said Evans, indicating his alcohol related problems began in 1982.

"Sooner or later Jimmy Keener is going to hurt somebody," said the judge, "I view his case as being serious. He is a person who drinks and drives.

Keener's lawyer requested a delay in sentencing, which the judge refused. He was taken to Central Regional Jail.