Albion man, 19, admits role with meth manufacturing

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 August 2016 at 4:57 pm

ALBION – An Albion man admitted in Orleans County Court on Monday that he had a role in manufacturing methamphetamine in Albion. However, Nicholas D. Barrett wasn’t the leader of the operation, which resulted in seven people being arrested in April.

Barrett told County Court Judge James Punch that he had meth in his apartment at 28A East Bank St., when he and six others were arrested on April 19.

Barrett admitted to having lab tubing, camp fuel, lithium batteries, a cold pack and other materials for making meth.

“Was it your intent to assist in preparing methamphetamine?” Judge Punch asked Barrett in court.

“Yes,” Barrett responded.

He pleaded guilty to unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the third degree. The charge normally carries a maximum sentence of 2 ½ years in state prison. As part of a plea deal on Monday, Barrett will face up to six months in county jail. He will be sentenced at 2 p.m. on Oct. 17. Punch reduced Adkins bail on Monday from $30,000 to $5,000.

Barrett is a first-time offender who just missed being eligible for youthful offender by 11 days, his attorney Mark Lewis told Judge Punch.

District Attorney Joe Cardone said another co-defendant with Barrett, Ryan J. Adkins, 22, of Lockport, was most responsible for the meth manufacturing.

“Who was the main leader in this whole operation?” Punch asked Cardone.

“Mr. Adkins, your honor,” Cardone responded in court.

Adkins already has been sentenced for six months in jail and 5 years probation in Genesee County for unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine. His charges in Orleans County are separate from the proceedings in Genesee County.

Adkins and another co-defendant, Maja L. Pugh, 19, of Lockport, appeared in court on Monday and are weighing plea offers. They are due back in court Aug. 29.

Two other people pleaded guilty on July 18 for their roles with the meth manufacturing in Albion.

Tara Ryan, 19, of Albion admitted to manufacturing meth. She had the ingredients and equipment needed to make the illegal drug at her former apartment, 28A East Bank St. She pleaded guilty to unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the third degree and could face a maximum of 2 ½ years in state prison when she is sentenced on Oct. 3 at 2 p.m.

Bridgette A.M. Fronczak-Reilly, 19, of Lockport admitted she possessed meth on April 19. She pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, and could be sentenced to up to a year in jail on Oct. 3.