RACINE COUNTY (WITI) -- Charged in connection with an ecstasy lab discovered at a home in Racine following a fire in April 2013, 40-year-old Timothy Gutierrez has been sentenced in the case against him.
Gutierrez initially faced four felony charges and four misdemeanor charges.
He pleaded no contest to three charges: felony possession with intent to deliver THC, felony manufacturing/delivering designer drugs (second and subsequent offense, repeater), and felony second degree recklessly endangering safety -- a charge that was amended from first degree recklessly endangering safety.
On the possession with intent to delivery THC charge, Gutierrez was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison and 5.5 years of extended supervision.
On the manufacturing/delivering drugs charge, Gutierrez was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison and 5.5 years of extended supervision, to be served consecutive to the sentence on the THC charge.
Gutierrez will serve a total of 11 years in prison and 11 years of extended supervision.
On the second degree recklessly endangering safety charge, Gutierrez was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison and 2.5 years of extended supervision to be served concurrently (at the same time as) his other sentences.
Investigators responded to a fire at a home on April 26th, 2013 at 421 Parkview Drive — and began working a fire in the upstairs unit of the residence.
While working the fire, the criminal complaint states officials discovered buckets, beakers and other items that led them to believe there was some type of working lab for manufacturing controlled substances.
Therefore, the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene.
The complaint indicates officials discovered a black duffel bag inside the residence containing vacuum sealed bags weighing about 500 grams each — containing marijuana. Investigators believe based on the quantity, it was being held for resale.
Additionally, officials discovered numerous buckets, burners, thermometers and measuring devices, and hundreds of liquid samples that tested positive for ecstasy.
They say there was a full-scale drug lab that covered the entire second floor of the residence. They said it ran from the back wall to the front wall, and there was evidence a fire had occurred recently in one of the rooms, according to the complaint.
Officials believed there was a high probability of a catastrophic event, based on items located in the residence — according to the complaint, which is something that worries neighbors.
The home reportedly belonged to Gutierrez’s uncle, who hadn’t been inside the home since December because he was recovering from surgery.
An arson investigator determined the cause of the fire was likely spilled chemicals.
The criminal complaint indicates Gutierrez was identified by his uncle. He has a criminal history dating back to 1996.
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