Meth Cooker Sentenced to 23 Years in Prison

(Phoenix, Ariz. – March 7, 2005)  Algene Brown, a Gilbert man, was sentenced Friday to 23 years in prison for manufacturing methamphetamine drugs in the presence of children.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Dennis Dairman cited the danger of exposing six children to methamphetamines, one of whom has Downs Syndrome and the lack of adequate remorse as factors in sentencing Brown.

Attorney General Terry Goddard is supporting a bill to reduce meth production in Arizona.  

“This case illustrates why the Legislature needs to take action,” Goddard said.  “Brown put six children in danger by exposing them to toxic fumes created when cooking meth.  The bill now under consideration would make the key ingredient used in meth harder to get.”

Brown was convicted by two separate juries.  He was tried and convicted in September 2004 on three counts of manufacturing a dangerous drug and child endangerment.  At a second trial in December 2004, Brown was convicted by a second jury on three counts of manufacturing a dangerous drug and child endangerment.   He was sentenced Friday for both cases.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney Marc Evans as part of the Drug Endangered Children Program in the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.

Goddard will meet Tuesday with state law enforcement leaders to discuss the methamphetamine crisis facing the state.  The meeting will be held at the ASU Downtown Conference Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be open to the media.