Thomas Nathen Reiman, 45, formerly of Festus, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison following felony drug charges and probation violations, according to court records.
In January 2012, Reiman, who most recently lived in St. Louis County, was driving on Hwy. 61-67 north of Montebello Road in Imperial, and a deputy pulled him over for crossing the center line twice within a short distance, the probable-cause statement said.
Reiman also was driving with a revoked license. In addition, the deputy found him with a smoking pipe with residue on it and baggies filled with a white powdery substance believed to be methamphetamine, the report said.
Reiman pleaded guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance, and in January 2013, he was sentenced to seven years. However, after completing a treatment program, he was released in May 2013 on five years’ probation, and the sentence was suspended, court papers show.
In September 2013, authorities were called to a home in the 1900 block of Birchwood in Barnhart for a meth lab fire, and paramedics treated Reiman at the scene. Shortly thereafter, though, Reiman left in a vehicle, so when detectives arrived to investigate, he was gone, the probable-cause statement said.
The man who lived at the home was there, however, and told detectives that he was letting Reiman spend the night at the house when the fire started. The man said Reiman woke him, stating “There’s a fire; help me put it out,” the report said.
The man said he went into the kitchen and saw “numerous chemicals and ingredients used for the production of methamphetamine,” according to the report.
Detectives found the meth lab and other drug-related items, including a scale with residue on it. In addition, detectives found bottles filled with pills and other containers filled with liquid or other unknown substances, as well as more than $500 in cash, the report said.
Reiman pleaded guilty to manufacturing a controlled substance, a felony, and in March 2014, he was sentenced to 13 years in prison, to be served consecutively to the seven-year term he previously was sentenced to, for a total of 20 years. After completing another treatment program, however, he was released in May 2015, and the sentence was again suspended, court documents indicate.
He violated the probation again, though, and on Feb. 27, Jefferson County Div. 5 Circuit Judge Victor J. Melenbrink executed the 20 years Reiman previously was sentenced to, the report said.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Trisha C. Stefanski handled the cases.
The 20 years also are to be served concurrent, or at the same time, with two consecutive seven-year terms Reiman previously was sentenced to for second-degree burglary and stealing, both felonies, stemming from a July 2002 incident in Washington County, according to court records.