Judge OK's $12K restitution in meth lab explosion case

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A Dickinson man will have to pay $12,000 in restitution after an

apartment he lived in suffered damage earlier this year when a bottle

of meth he was in possession of exploded.

Shane Roy Cook’s attorney, Kevin McCabe, said his client agrees to the restitution while he is on probation, which will begin after he completes substance abuse treatment with Teen Challenge in nine months and can become employed.

McCabe added that Cook will have to set up a payment plan in order to pay the money.

Cook, born 1971, pleaded guilty in July in Southwest District Court in Dickinson to Class C felony reckless endangerment and Class A felony possession of a controlled substance after a meth lab in a bottle exploded in his Dickinson apartment in February.

Cook was required to pay restitution, in addition to serving an 18-month sentence and will receive credit for the days he participates in Teen Challenge, a “professional, Christ-centered recovery for adults with substance abuse issues.”

Stark County State’s Attorney Tom Henning told Judge William Herauf

that the apartment building owner was consulted about the restitution.

“The victim in this case thinks (the restitution) is fair given the defendant’s current situation,” Henning said. “The victim in this case desires some finality to this and the victim is satisfied.”

Herauf accepted the agreement, but reminded Cook that it satisfies the criminal side of his case, but civil action is still possible.

In other court:

n David Blinn, 24, Dickinson, will be set for a two-day trial on the charge that he had sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl.

Blinn pleaded not guilty in August to one count of Class AA felony gross sexual imposition, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.

n Heather Brazelton, born 1976, Dickinson, will receive a plea deal from the state and will not be going to trial.

Stark County Assistant State’s Attorney James Hope asked to be granted a week to submit the proposal to Brazelton and her attorney. The terms of the proposed plea agreement were not laid out in court.

She pleaded not guilty in September to theft of property, a Class C felony.

According to the criminal complaint, Brazelton allegedly stole approximately $1,200 in cash from Cub Scout Pack 30 between April 1 and Dec. 31, 2011.

n Jared Curtis Dillon, 22, Dickinson, pleaded guilty to Class B felony aggravated assault, which carries

a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Dillon fractured the nose and caused the permanent loss of sight in his victim’s left eye Feb. 17, according to an amended criminal complaint.

The state has recommended that Dillon serve 10 years with the North Dakota Department of Corrections with five years suspended.

Herauf requested a pre-sentencing investigation before he decided whether to accept the agreement.

Tags: shane roy cook, meth lab, david blinn, heather brazelton, news, restitution, court