Man indicted on meth charges

PALMER -- A grand jury has indicted a Palmer man for possessing materials with which to make methamphetamine, and for intent to manufacture the drug.

Traves J. Wilhoyte was charged with two counts of second-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance. Both are class A felonies punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Palmer Police officer Kelly Turney arrested Wilhoyte Aug. 16 after Wilhoyte allegedly tried to cash a forged check for $145 at the Palmer Carrs. Store personnel alerted police and Turney apprehended Wilhoyte behind the First National Bank on South Cobb Street, where the 26-year-old man was hiding in some trees and shrubs, according to court papers.

The check, which Carrs did not cash, was later found torn into several pieces in the Fred Meyer construction area, Turney's report said.

When arrested, Wilhoyte had a backpack containing 164 tablets of Sudafed, a bottle of the gas-fuel additive Heet, a bottle of finger nail polish remover, aluminum foil, a battery, a chemistry book, and several hundred matchbook covers, according to Turney's report.

"Based upon my training and experience I know all the previously mentioned items to be precursors for the production of methamphetamine," Turney said.

An assistant manager at Carrs told police Wilhoyte has been seen at the store several times purchasing Heet, Sudafed and matches. Wilhoyte was convicted last year of fourth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance, Turney said.

The grand jury indicted Wilhoyte for second-degree forgery in connection with the attempted check cashing. The check's owner told police she had not issued or signed a check to Wilhoyte, and didn't know who he was. She wasn't aware the check was missing until notified by Carrs employees, Turney's report said.

Wilhoyte also was indicted for sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance for 21 grams of marijuana police said they found during a consensual search of his backpack.

Wilhoyte entered not guilty pleas to the charges when arraigned Monday. Trial is scheduled for Nov. 10.

He is being held at Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility with bail set at $16,500 cash and a court-appointed third party custodian.