Meth lab case heads to trial

Russell Wallager with his attorney, William Weise.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A Custer man who faces up to 50 years in prison in connection to a meth lab bust last January rejected a plea deal offered by the prosecutor Tuesday, April 14, in 51st Circuit Court and is now awaiting a jury trial.

Russell Allen Wallager, 30, was arrested Jan. 15 by the State Sheriffs’, Chiefs’ Enforcement of Narcotics Team (SSCENT) for felonies of of controlled substance, operating/maintaining a lab involving firearm/other harmful device; controlled substance, manufacturing methamphetamine; and two counts of felony firearm.

Wallager is currently lodged in the Mason County Jail on a $75,000 cash/surety bond.

He was arrested at a residence in the 6000 block of US-10 in Branch Township where a meth lab was discovered. He faces double penalties on his charges as a repeat offender.

Mason County Prosecutor Paul Spaniola offered a plea deal Tuesday in which Wallager could plead to counts one and two, with the double penalty, and counts three and four would be dismissed. With plea deal, Wallager was looking at serving a maximum of just over 14 years in prison with a 170-month maximum sentence offered.

Wallager’s attorney, William Weise, who is new to the case, had his client waive his right to a speedy trial due to the change in counsel and because Weise said he has an upcoming trial in another matter.