Pubdate: Mon, 14 May 2007
Source: Press-Republican (NY)
Copyright: 2007 Plattsburgh Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pressrepublican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/639
Author: Lohr McKinstry
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

POLICE: DRUG COUNSELOR RAN METH LAB

Police Say Port Henry Man Had Meth Lab In His Home

PORT HENRY -- A Port Henry man accused of running a meth lab out of 
his home was in Moriah Town Court for a felony hearing Monday.

John R. Boyle, 33, of 6 Second Lane Building 2, Port Henry has been 
in the Essex County Jail since his arrest by State Police earlier this month.

Boyle was a substance-abuse counselor at the Moriah State Shock 
Incarceration Facility in Mineville when State Police raided his home.

He was charged with felony third-degree unlawful manufacture of 
methamphetamine and misdemeanor second-degree criminal possession of 
methamphetamine manufacturing equipment.

State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Investigator Ronald 
Husner said in court papers that Boyle had tubing, glass jars and 
containers "used in manufacture of methamphetamine."

The laboratory equipment was found during a police raid of Boyle's 
home in Port Henry, Husner said. Moriah Town Justice Brian Venne had 
issued a search warrant for the incursion.

Police have released scant information on the May 8 raid, but 
neighbors said streets around the house were blocked off while 
troopers wearing bullet-proof vests stormed the house. A helicopter 
was also used for surveillance of the property.

The afternoon raid was apparently timed to coincide with Boyle's 
return home from his job as a drug counselor at the Moriah Shock 
Incarceration Facility.

State Department of Correction spokeswoman Linda Foglia said Monday 
that Boyle was paid $37,630 a year to work in the alcohol- and 
substance-abuse program at Moriah Shock. He started work at the 
prison in September 2005.

"We do expect disciplinary action in the form of a suspension," she said.

Boyle was represented at the felony hearing by attorney John McDonald 
Sr. of Ticonderoga. Boyle told Venne he believes the state workers 
union he belongs to will have an attorney represent him at future 
court appearances.

Boyle waived the hearing, and his next Town Court date was set for 
Tuesday, June 26.

Bail had been set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond, but at McDonald's 
request, Venne reduced it to $2,500 bond and Boyle was able to make bail.

Wearing a striped prison uniform, with leg chains and his wrists 
handcuffed in front of him, Boyle was brought into court by Essex 
County Sheriff's Deputies Matt Braunius and Michael Blaise.

Several of Boyle's family members sat behind him in the courtroom, 
and he chatted with them during breaks in the proceedings.

Methamphetamine labs can give off dangerous fumes and are prone to 
explosion or fire. Police said that in addition to the lab equipment 
at Boyle's home, they found muriatic acid, ammonia, thinner, stove 
fuel and lye, all chemicals that are part of a meth recipe.

County Assistant District Attorney Michael Langey is prosecuting 
Boyle. Langey said Boyle is not charged with having any 
methamphetamine at the time of the raid, only with possessing the lab 
equipment and chemicals used to manufacture the drug.

Methamphetamine stimulates the mesolimbic-reward pathway in the 
brain, causing euphoria and excitement, and is prone to abuse and addiction.

The facility Boyle worked at uses boot-camp-type training and 
discipline to rehabilitate first-time drug offenders.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman