HUTCHINSON, Kan. – A 38-year-old Haven man will avoid prosecution for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after he agreed to enter pleas in two other cases.
Ryan Peterson entered “guilty” pleas Thursday morning in the two cases, one that goes back to May 23, 2014, after a drug search was conducted at a home he shared with Lacey Nelson. Law enforcement found a Pyrex dish with a white powdery substance, a digital scale with meth residue and new packaging materials. He entered pleas to manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of a precursor to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and other prescription drugs.
In this case, he was charged with the manufacture of meth as well, but the state dropped that charge as part of the agreement. However, he did enter pleas to possession of stolen property, that being a stolen Lincoln welder with that case going back to June 6, 2012.
Again, the state, as part of the agreement, will not file charges for the latest arrest.
The two sides will argue at sentencing over how much time he should receive in prison. The state wants just under 13 years in prison, while the defense will seek a lesser sentence of seven years. Because one of the convictions is for manufacturing meth, the defense cannot seek a non-prison sanction.
Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 8 in front of Judge Trish Rose.
Peterson has prior convictions, which include possession of drugs, unlawful manufacturing and possession of a precursor to manufacturing. Those convictions go back to February of 2006. That will affect the amount of time he will receive in prison.