Herbert Kasinger, one of four men picked up as the result of a search warrant being executed at 101 Dupont Lane in the Whiteville area on April 25th, was given 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to a number of drug-related charges against him during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
The 59-year-old Kasinger is charged with selling methamphetamine from the residence. A number of law enforcement agencies utilized a confidential informant to make a number of “drug buys” from Kasinger this spring. He also admitted in court that he had used a cell phone to arrange the sales which resulted in the unlawful use of a communications device charge.
According to court records, the search of the residence turned up syringes, spoons, and smoking pipes — all commonly associated with the ingestion of methamphetamine.
Information contained in the probable cause affidavit indicates that there was a sawed-off, loaded .410 gauge shotgun within “arms reach” of Kasinger when he was located during the search of the Dupont Lane residence. As a result of the gun being in the residence and within close proximity to Kasinger, he was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
As Circuit Judge John Putman was reading the elements of the plea deal, Kasinger said that while he was pleading guilty to the gun charge, he did not own the gun and did not even know it was in the residence. Judge Putman said he felt in that case, it would be better for Kasinger to plead no contest to the gun charge and Kasinger agreed. The change did not effect the prison time or other aspect of the plea deal reached with the state.
A reluctant Judge Putman allowed Kasinger to remain free until 5 p.m. Friday to arrange his affairs. Judge Putman said he did not like to take such action since “people tend to go out and have one last party and that can get them in trouble again.” He told Kasinger he would allow the arrangement, and admonished him not to “disappoint me”.
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