Jackson Street methamphetamine suspect denied bond

Bradley David Light – Courtesy Photo/RSW Jail

A Front Royal man accused of distribution and manufacture of methamphetamine just four blocks from the Jackson Street Front Royal Police headquarters was denied bond on Wednesday. Bradley David Light and his court-appointed attorney Matt Beyrau appeared before Judge Ian Williams on March 20 in Warren County General District Court.

Beyrau argued that with a probable cause hearing scheduled for October 2, over six months out that the presumption of innocence should impact a decision on the defendant’s bond. Light’s attorney told the court the 54-year-old defendant had “strong ties” to the community and believed he could get a job back with a former local employer in the moving business.

Perhaps indicating an eventual line of defense strategy, Beyrau also pointed to the presence of another person at the carriage house apartment over an old garage space at 409 East Jackson Street during the execution of a search warrant on February 27. Asked by Beyrau if a Charles Carruthers had been present or charged in relation to the raid at 409 Jackson Street, drug task force Special Agent Tony Fox replied that he didn’t know, adding, “It’s not my case.”

It was also revealed during defense cross examination of Special Agent Fox that Light had not been present at the outset of the search of his apartment – “Mr. Light arrived later during the execution of the search warrant,” the special agent testified.

Agents on scene during Feb. 27 raid on suspected Jackson St. methamphetamine lab and distribution point. Courtesy Photo

Beyrau asked the Judge Williams to grant Light a “bond he can afford” in the $2,000 range, adding of the charges against his client, “There is no presumption against bond.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Fleming elicited testimony from Special Agent Fox about the methamphetamine manufacture process, ingredients and accessories found at 409 Jackson Street and their volatility. The agent described the danger of flash fires, ingredients burning at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit and toxic fumes. The agent noted that windows had been knocked out at both ends of the second-story apartment during the search to allow venting to minimize fume dangers to the agents.

The criminal complaint resulting from the search warrant references the seizure of a “Hydrochloric gas generator, one pot, empty Pseudphedrine package, hypophosphite salts, liquefied ammonia gas, and hydrochloric acid.” Special Agent Fox also testified to the presence of lithium, pill and coffee grinders common to methamphetamine production process.

Fleming pointed to Light’s criminal record, including previous possession with intent to distribute Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 substance convictions.

A perspective on the neighborhood during the raid at the 409 Jackson St. carriage house apartment – Courtesy Photo

Noting Light’s carriage house apartment was in a residential neighborhood, Fleming told the court, “The prosecution thinks he is a danger to himself and the community.”

In handing down his denial of the defense bond request, Judge Williams said a decision was “not about the presumption of innocence – it’s about probable cause” and whether the defendant s, in fact, “a danger to himself and others – I have to look at the dangers first – someone in a meth lab is playing Russian Roulette every day,” the judge said in denying bond.