McALESTER —
The Pittsburg County District Court recently found probable cause in a methamphetamine house case.
Richard Allen Cates, 40, of McAlester, appeared in court Jan. 2 for a preliminary hearing on multiple drug-related felonies.
Pittsburg County Associate District Judge James Bland presided over the hearing. According to court records, Bland ruled there was probable cause that a crime had been committed by Cates.
Cates was due back in court on Jan. 9 at 10 a.m. to face felony charges of possession of a controlled substance within 2,000 feet of a school and possession of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school or park.
Cates was first charged in August along with co-defendants Jeryka Darcy, 24, of McAlester, and Christina A. Jackson, 30, of McAlester.
Cates was first charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled dangerous substance within 1,000 feet of a school or park and five counts of possession of a precursor to manufacture methamphetamine.
For Cates, the first count was amended, the second count remained the same and the remaining counts were dismissed, according to court records.
Jackson pleaded guilty in the case on Sept. 27 to charges of possession of controlled dangerous substances (marijuana and methamphetamine) within 1,000 feet of a school or park and maintaining a place for keeping /selling controlled substances. She was ordered to enter District 18 Drug Court.
Jackson was the second of three defendants in the case to enter a plea.
On Aug. 24, Darcy pleaded guilty to 23 drug-related felony charges. She was fined $3,300 and received a 10-year suspended sentence on each count, to run concurrently.
According to court records, officers executed a search warrant on Aug. 15 in a home on South Elm Street in McAlester.
After making entry into the residence, Cates, Jackson and Darcy were taken into custody and transported to the Pittsburg County Jail.
After searching the South Elm Street home, officers found numerous items associated with the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Cates remains in custody at the Pittsburg County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond and was unavailable for comment.
In seeking comment, a working phone number for Darcy could not be located. And Jackson said her comment on the case is “no comment.”
Contact Rachel Petersen at rpetersen@mcalesternews.com.
For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smart phone.
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
