March 9, 2009

Pat Jenkins denied parole, will serve 10 years

By Scott Wright

CENTRE — Citing Cherokee County's “substantial methamphetamine lab problem,” Assistant District Attorney Scott Lloyd last week successfully argued against probation for a local convenience store owner convicted on multiple drug charges.

Patricia Jenkins, 59, the owner/operator of Pat's Handy Mart in Sand Rock, was found guilty last fall on five counts of unlawful possession of precursor chemicals used to manufacture methamphetamine and five counts of attempted manufacturing. She was sentenced to ten years in prison in January.

Jenkins, clad in a green and white-striped prison jumpsuit, looked on silently Tuesday morning as defense attorney Rodney Stallings produced affidavits from six Sand Rock residents who promised to support Jenkins if her probation request was granted. Stallings also called several witnesses. Among them was former Sand Rock High School principal Lawrence D. Pearson, who said he opposes illegal drug use but wanted to support Jenkins.

“I believe people deserve a second chance,” Pearson said.

When told by Lloyd that Jenkins had been selling precursor chemicals for years at a store she owned before opening Pat's Handy Mart, Pearson admitted the information might cause him to reconsider his position.

Under questioning from Stallings, state Probation and Parole Officer Kathy Quattlebaum said Jenkins had done “everything that was asked of her” after her conviction. But Quattlebaum added that she felt Jenkins was as upset about being caught as about what she had done.

“She is remorseful now and I believe she truly regrets what happened,” Quattlebaum said. “But initially she portrayed the attitude that she thought she hadn't done anything wrong.”

During his remarks, Stallings argued that Jenkins was convicted of a crime “that really didn't have a victim.” Lloyd countered that the county has a serious meth problem and that Jenkins was a significant contributor. He also reminded the court that Jenkins was arrested for another drug-related offense after her conviction in January.

Stallings called on Jenkins' son, who testified that his mother felt remorse. He added that if granted probation, she would no longer oversee the day-to-day operations of the store.

“She knows what she did was wrong and she regrets it,” Brian Jenkins said.

After hearing over two hours of testimony and arguments from Stallings, Circuit Judge Randall Cole sided with the prosecution. While acknowledging the community support for Jenkins, Cole upheld his original 10-year sentence because of what he considered Jenkins' “significant contribution” to the meth problem in Cherokee County.

District Attorney Mike O'Dell was extremely pleased with the ruling.

“We have spent considerable time and resources fighting the drug problem in Cherokee County,” O'Dell said. “We feel this ruling sends a message to those who facilitate the production of meth that law enforcement, prosecutors and the courts are united in their efforts to put an end to this scourge.”