Meth dealer gets 30-year sentence
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

There will be one less meth dealer on the streets in Ripley County thanks to good detective work, the diligence of the prosecutor and the sentence a judge handed down on Monday, April 11.

Rick Conn, 41, of the Sunman/Milan area, was sentenced to 30 years imprisonment in Ripley County Circuit Court for Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A Felony.

Conn was found guilty after a two-day jury trial on March 2, and 3. According to Ripley Publishing Co. files, Conn was described by law enforcement agencies as a "major player" in the methamphetamine business and had been arrested by the Ripley County Sheriff's Department in July of 2003. At that time, Sgt. Randy Holt had received information from the public that Conn was living at a residence in Napoleon. He was also wanted on two separate warrants at that time.

Evidence presented at trial included 9.1 grams of methamphetamine packaged in six individual baggies along with $790.00 in cash. Prosecutor Ric Hertel told the jury that the 9.1 grams of meth would equal 91 potential users and keep Conn high for over a month. At the sentencing, Conn admitted he had been addicted to meth and referred to the addiction as "horrible."

Prosecutor Hertel had requested the 30-year sentence because of the seriousness of the crime and Conn's previous criminal record.

"This type of sentence should send a message to those dealing in Meth that my office will attempt to prosecute these cases to the full extent of the law," concluded Hertel.

The case also proved that citizens are instrumental in helping police solve crimes and catch people who are conducting illegal activity. "The community plays a vital role in helping officers in cases such as this," noted Sheriff Bill Davison, who attributes much of the work officers do to the involvement of those in the community.

WANDA ENGLISH BURNETT PHOTO

Rick Conn is being escorted by Captain David Pippin of the Ripley County Sheriff's Department, after he was sentenced in Ripley County Circuit Court on Monday, on charges of Dealing in Methamphetamine, a Class A Felony. Conn received a 30 year sentence.