Jackson meth lab suspect waives hearing

A Jackson man waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on drug charges in connection with the discovery of a methamphetamine lab at a Cape Girardeau home.

Thomas Hamilton, 46, was charged with felony possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of amphetamine or methamphetamine paraphernalia and possession of anhydrous ammonia in a nonapproved container and misdemeanor unlawful use of drug paraphernalia after police found evidence of a methamphetamine lab at a house he owns at 1467 Kingsway Drive, court records show.

Police were called to the property June 7 after receiving a call about a man being shot in the chest during an altercation.

The shooting victim, Andrew McLendon, 29, was charged with second-degree assault and first-degree property damage after the altercation. The man who shot him was not charged.

Hamilton's wife, Shauna, 32, and stepdaughter, Lacey Solis, 17, were arrested along with him.

Last month, Solis pleaded guilty to a single charge of felony possession of a controlled substance as part of a plea agreement in which prosecutors dropped the remaining charges and recommended she be placed on five years of supervised probation.

After Thomas Hamilton waived his right to a preliminary hearing, Judge Gary Kamp bound his case over for trial. Thomas Hamilton's next court date will be Sept. 16.

McLendon and Shauna Hamilton are scheduled to appear in court Monday on their charges.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

1467 Kingsway Drive, Cape Girardeau, Mo.