• 
• CLASS
• JOBS
• AUTO
• HOMES

Meth charges bring not guilty pleas

ELKHORN — Two Delavan residents pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges of possession and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.

Lainee M. Nickas, 26, and Christopher S. Wall, 44, both of 1420 Birchwood St., Delavan, were arrested March 26 on charges of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of material for manufacturing methamphetamine, possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Walworth County District Attorney’s Office also charged Nickas and Wall this week with possession of methamphetamine in the presence of a child younger than 14 years old.

Nickas pleaded not guilty to all three charges. Wall pleaded guilty to the previous two charges and reserved the right to object to the third count.

The Walworth County Sheriff’s Office responded to a trespassing complaint in Richmond Township on March 14, when the caller gave officers a description of a truck and license plate numbers.

While investigating the call, officers found starting fluid, acetone and rags that might have been used for filters in the methamphetamine manufacturing process, said Sgt. Jeff Patek of the Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit.

The truck seen at the field was found abandoned in a driveway on S&D Townline Road in Delavan Township. The residence was not connected to either suspect and appeared to be a random choice.

Officers searched the area and the truck and found tubing, filter paper and acetone, which are associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, Patek said.

Information connecting Wall to the truck was found inside the vehicle, which he owns.

On March 26, the Walworth County Drug Enforcement Unit, along with officers from the Rock County Drug Unit and the Delavan Police Department searched the Birchwood Street residence. They reported finding a small amount of marijuana, about 50 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.

Nickas also was charged with possession or marijuana.

They each are being held on $50,000 bond.

Nickas is scheduled for a status hearing May 15. Wall is scheduled for a status hearing July 6.