Trapp gets 20 years for making meth near school
In one of the longest methamphetamine sentences ever handed down in Warren County, a meth cooker was given 20 years in prison for illegally manufacturing the drug across from Dibrell Elementary.
The defendant, Jerry Trapp, 26, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars Wednesday by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley on two counts of manufacture of meth. One of the counts included the charge that the manufacture was conducted within a school zone and involved more than 100 grams, making the count a more serious felony.
Trapp received 15 of his 20 years on the school zone count, and, under sentencing guidelines, the 15-year portion of his total sentence must be served at 100 percent without chance of early release through parole. He was also fined $4,000.
The sentence comes after Trapp was caught manufacturing meth in a small block building last April. The building is located across the street from Dibrell Elementary, about 200 yards from the front door of the school. Lawmen suspect he was producing the drug at various times, even during school hours.
The school zone law which was enacted by the state legislature a few years ago imposes stiffer penalties on persons who deal, use or manufacture drugs within 1,000 feet of a school. The punishment usually steps the crime up one felony category. The law was passed to keep drug pushers away from school yards.