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Man gets 2-4 years for role in meth lab

HOLLIDAYSBURG — An Altoona man has been ordered to serve two to four years in a state prison for his role in operating a methamphetamine lab found at a Juniata residence in 2014.

Scott Robert Perkins, 35, who has been out of prison on bail pending sentencing, was taken Monday to Blair County Prison after Judge Elizabeth Doyle imposed the jail time, followed by a year of probation.

The two- to four-year sentence was the least amount of time Doyle could consider based on the state’s mandated minimum sentence for a conviction on the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

The judge also imposed sentences of nine to 19 months for criminal conspiracy to make meth and one to two years for possession of red phosphorus to make meth. But those sentences will be served at the same time as the two- to four-year sentence, the judge said.

Perkins was one of three people arrested April 2, 2014, after police found meth-making chemicals and related materials at 127 N. Fifth Ave. where Perkins resided with family including his sister, Misty R. Perkins, and her ex-boyfriend, Philip M. Shultz.

Altoona police charged Scott and Misty Perkins and Shultz with conspiracy to manufacture meth, manufacturing meth, possession of red phosphorus to manufacture meth and other charges.

In an August jury trial for Scott Perkins, testimony indicated that Shultz was the cooker and that Scott Perkins had made multiple purchases of pseudoephedrine pills, an ingredient used in making meth.

When Scott Perkins was arrested, police also said he had methamphetamine and a glass smoking device.

Shultz, who was also arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty, is currently serving a 2.5- to five-year prison sentence, to be followed by 10 years’ probation. Misty Perkins, also arrested, was assigned to the county’s drug treatment court program for three years, to be followed by 10 years’ probation.

Defense attorney Matthew Dombrosky asked the judge to impose only the mandated jail sentence on Scott Perkins.

“I think he was more of a follower here,” Dombrosky said.

Scott Perkins’ cousin, William Perkins, offered a similar assessment based on having known Scott Perkins since they were kids.

“I believe he was used as a puppet by Mr. Shultz,” William Perkins told the judge.

Assistant District Attorney Pete Weeks asked the judge to consider a sentence allowing Perkins to address his substance abuse problem as well as the concern he presents to the community. Weeks reminded the judge that the meth lab was in a residential area and inside a house where a family member depended on an oxygen tank.

Scott Perkins told the judge that after graduating from high school, he entered the Navy but was discharged when he was 20 years old because of drinking. Perkins also reported suffering injuries while in the Navy and in subsequent incidents, which require him to take prescribed medicine. He said he has had some jobs and his cousin called him a capable carpenter and painter who has helped him.

The judge said the sentence reflects Scott Perkins’ lack of a violent record, strides since 2014 made to improve his life and access to programs and evaluations.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 946-7456.

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