Father and son entered a plea agreement Friday – and face years in prison – in connection with a thwarted attempt to steal anhydrous ammonia from the Hackney Branch of Valley Co-Op last fall, Cowley County Attorney Chris Smith said.
James Thomas "Tom" Brown V, 46, and Jeremy Brown, 19, both of Ark City will be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. March 29 in a Winfield courtroom. Prior criminal history and the severity of the latest charges make it likely that Tom Brown could spend up to eight years in prison, Smith said.
Jeremy Brown is facing about six years.
Tom Brown is guilty of possession of anhydrous ammonia with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia as a result of the agreement. Jeremy Brown is guilty of a possession of drug paraphernalia charge.
In October, a surveillance team monitoring the co-op watched as the Browns took anhydrous from a nurse tank at the co-op, which is located just across the highway from Strother Field. Authorities were monitoring the area due to recent thefts.
When the Browns’ vehicle was pulled over, someone tossed a container of anhydrous out of the vehicle window.
