By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – A Vandalia man who maintained a lab with hazardous waste and manufactured methamphetamine at various places was handed down a prison term after a jury found him guilty Nov. 7.
Friday morning in Cass County Circuit Court, Thomas Routley, 31, of 15122 Monkey Run Road, received 7 to 20 years each for maintaining a laboratory with hazardous waste, maintaining a methamphetamine lab and maintaining or operating a laboratory in specified places. He also got a concurrent term of 17 months to 4 years for possession of cocaine less than 25 grams. The terms are concurrent and consecutive to a term Routley was serving in Mecosta County, Michigan. He was on parole for unlawfully driving away of an automobile in 2003 when the offense took place in Edwardsburg on July 21.
Assistant Prosecutor Tiffiny Vohwinkle said Routley manufactured methamphetamine in several places. She asked for maximum time in his 72-to-120 month guideline range.
Judge Michael Dodge said the jury found Routley guilty of four substance abuse felonies, and he has a record of two other felonies and eight misdemeanors. "You are deserving of a substantial sentencing," he said.
Routley pleaded that he has attended classes for the past few months for his addiction. He asked the court to have mercy and that he was sorry.
On Nov. 9, Routley's girlfriend, Lisa Segundo, got a year in jail and three years probation for maintaining a meth lab. During her sentencing, Prosecutor Victor Fitz referred to the couple as "Bonnie and Clyde" who took a journey through the meth valley.
Routley's court costs totaled $747.
In other sentencings, Friday:
Themelis Karamalegos, 50, of 637 Alice Lane, Niles, received three years probation and 60 days jail for two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, a gun, on Oct. 10 at his residence. Dodge said he threatened to shoot his ex-wife with the gun and following a struggle, he hit his son with the gun. After serving the 60 days jail, he may serve an additional 60 days on tether. His costs totaled $860.
Gary Yaw, 45, of 1625 Merrifield Avenue, Niles, received two years probation for attempted breaking and entering a vehicle to steal $1,000 to $20,000 at a business on Carberry Road, Niles, where he took tools valued at $1,000 on April 6. He entered another business on Carberry Road on Feb.1 where he took $1,500 worth of tools. Court costs totaled $1,140, and he is to pay restitution of $1,570.97.