JEFFERSON CO., Ill. - Remember this situation with the HRT in Ina this past summer?
Well, one of those arrested in that incident has bothered to enter a plea in exchange for a significant sentence, this coming on Wednesday of this past week...and after Ms. Howard was arrested yet again November 29 and her options became considerably reduced.
Amber Howard, 34, of Ina, was one of three arrested back in August in a bit of overkill by the High-Risk Response Team (HRT), link above. She was charged with Possession of Meth less than 5 grams and Possession of a Controlled Substance in that instance August 5.
She was once again picked up in Jefferson County, according to published reports, on Nov. 29 after yet ANOTHER HRT event (they have to keep up their skills, you know...in case turrists invade 'murica) and charged with Aggravated Meth Manufacturing 400 or more grams and with a child present, Meth Manufacturing more than 400 but less than 900 grams, and having Meth Precursors, all very significant felonies.
Seeing her options were limited, her public defender Scott Quinn apparently helped her take the easiest way out she could: She took an 18-year sentence in exchange for the plea to the Meth Manufacturing Class X felony charge...because she was already on probation from a plea entered at the end of August on the first charge.
Another one arrested with Howard was a Kenneth Bressler, 52; he's next set for a hearing for January 3. The third, interestingly enough, was a 16-year-old male, who apparently wasn't charged as an adult.
Ms. Howard is apparently still in custody at JeffCo, as she's not listed as an inmate on Illinois' Department of Corrections website so we could bring you her lovely mug.