FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Autumn Payton Email: [email protected] Phone: (985) 748-7890

Amite- District Attorney Scott M. Perrilloux reports that 37-year-old Kenneth Anthony, of Loranger, LA, pleaded no contest to two charges of production/manufacturing or possession with intent to manufacture or produce schedule II controlled dangerous substances.

On September 25, 2015 agents received information from a confidential informant in regards to the manufacturing of methamphetamine. The confidential informant said the location was known as “the hole” off Haltom Road in Pumpkin Center. One of the names provided was Kenneth Anthony.

Detectives arrived at the location, which is made up of several unoccupied/abandoned buildings they ran into Anthony and two others coming out of an abandoned trailer. Detectives issued all three subjects their Miranda Rights.

Detectives gained written voluntary Consent to Search. The search of the abandoned/unoccupied trailer they were seen exiting revealed an active methamphetamine laboratory. They were taken into custody at this time.

A search of each person revealed precursory materials to manufacture/produce methamphetamine.

The agents went on to collect the oil and tested it for the presence of methamphetamine with the use of a NIK Field Test Kit. This gave a presumptive positive for the presence of methamphetamine. The suspected methamphetamine was sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis whereby it in fact tested as methamphetamine.

In another matter Anthony pled, on October 5, 2015, agents were contacted by a confidential informant regarding a methamphetamine lab possibly taking place at an address on Briar Patch Cemetery Road in Loranger, LA.

Patrol was sent out to the location given by the confidential informant. Upon arriving officers noticed a camper trailer located on the property and a noticed a strong chemical smell coming from the camper.

Upon deputies approaching the camper Kenneth Anthony exited the camper. Deputies gained verbal consent to search the property. The search of the camper revealed One Active pot methamphetamine laboratory, active HCL generator, empty crystal drain opener, along with cutting plyers and scissors.

Anthony refused to give a recorded statement, but in the presence of detectives stated “you caught me red handed” and began to laugh. Anthony was questioned about his previous arrest for manufacturing and advised he thought he was “set up” by the two other suspects. All evidence was turned over to the Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Office evidence vault. This evidence was sent to the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for chemical analysis.

Kenneth Anthony was sentenced to 10 years with the department of corrections, said Perrilloux.

Assistant District Attorney Le’Anne Malnar represented the state; Judge Elizabeth Wolfe handed down the sentence.

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