Pubdate: Tue, 13 Sep 2005 Source: Peoria Journal Star (IL) Copyright: 2005sPeoria Journal Star Contact: http://pjstar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/338 Author: James Washburn, Copley News Service Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) EX-POLICE OFFICER PLEADS GUILTY Lincoln Woman Faces From Nine To 37 Years In Prison On Drug Charges LINCOLN - Former Lincoln Police Cpl. Diana R. Short pleaded guilty last week, formally admitting she grew marijuana in the basement of her home and conspired with her daughter to manufacture methamphetamine. Short, 46, faces at least nine and up to 37 years in prison when she is sentenced at 11 a.m. Oct. 6. The former police officer pleaded guilty to six drug and weapons charges in exchange for the dismissal of seven drug-related criminal felonies, according to court records. The agreement did not address any specific sentencing recommendations. Short pleaded guilty to unlawful criminal drug conspiracy, a Class X felony, stemming from a thwarted plot between Short and her 22-year-old daughter Brianna Strohl to manufacture meth to raise bond money for Short, who was being held in lieu of $7,500 at the Logan County Safety Complex. The other charges to which she pleaded guilty stem from evidence Illinois State Police recovered at Short's former residence in the 500 block of North Hamilton Street during a raid in December. Those charges include unlawful manufacture of marijuana with the intent to deliver, a Class 2 felony; official misconduct, a Class 3 felony; filing a false affidavit, a Class 4 felony; and two Class A misdemeanors for possessing illegal firearms. Charges including controlled substance trafficking and unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, both Class X felonies; criminal drug conspiracy and unlawful possession of methamphetamine manufacturing chemicals, both Class 1 felonies; unlawful manufacture of marijuana and solicitation, both Class 2 felonies; and unlawful production of marijuana plants, a Class 3 felony were dismissed in exchange for the plea. During their raid, police recovered 25 marijuana plants, psilocybin spores capable of developing into hallucinogenic mushrooms and three illegal handguns in the basement of the house that were owned by the former officer and her 41-year-old husband, John Short. John Short pleaded guilty to growing marijuana and mushroom spores Aug. 4 and was sentenced to six years in prison.