| After a week-long trial, on Friday, November 5, an 8-woman, 4-man Burnet County Jury found Tracy Morgan Dantzler guilty of Manufacture of Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine, both being aggravated felony offenses. The first carries a penalty of 15-99 years or life and a possible fine of up to $250,000, and the second a penalty of 10-99 years or life and a possible fine of up to $100,000. Dantzler, 39, was arrested February 19, 2004, at his Burnet County residence by Sheriff’s deputies searching for a runaway juvenile. During the course of their inquiry, the officers came upon a clandestine methamphetamine lab, and immediately called the 33rd Judicial District Narcotics Enforcement Team’s (NET) Clandestine Laboratory Response Team to the scene to ensure the hazards of the clandestine lab were safely and properly handled. Units from the City of Burnet Fire Department and the Burnet County EMS also responded to deal with the potential fire, explosive, and chemical dangers, and any needs for medical attention. In addition, Sergeant-Investigator Brent Nichols of NET brought in Child Protective Services to deal with three children present on Dantzler’s property. NET transferred the illegal drug evidence to the Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory in Austin for chemical analysis. Those tests confirmed methamphetamine with an aggregate weight of over 500 grams. After hearing additional evidence on punishment, the same jury deliberated two hours before returning its verdict on punishment Monday evening. For the offense of manufacturing methamphetamine, Dantzler received 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. For the offense of possessing methamphetamine, Dantzler received 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine. The jury recommended the $50,000 fine be probated. Assistant District Attorney Ricky Simmons, who prosecuted the case, emphasized that bringing criminals like Dantzler to justice requires commitment and cooperation among many public agencies, “This single incident required first responders from the Sheriff’s office, fire department, EMS, as well as the Narcotics Enforcement Team to integrate all their capabilities into a team effort to protect the public.” Simmons underlined the importance of team work by pointing out that, since June 1 of this year, the 33rd NET has responded to over 80 clandestine methamphetamine labs in the four-county 33rd Judicial District. District Attorney Sam Oatman praised the patience and dedication of the Burnet citizens sitting on the Dantzler jury, “This case was complicated, and I appreciate the attentiveness and impartiality of all the jurors who sacrificed over a week of their time to reach a verdict. The punishment verdict returned by the jury fits the crime.” Oatman reiterated his policy of zero tolerance for drug criminals in the 33rd Judicial District because of the collateral crimes frequently associated with drug offenders. |
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| Dantzler Found Guilty on Drug Charges |