FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
March 15, 2012
For More Information, contact:
Luther
Joy Patterson (334) 242-7491
Suzanne Webb (334) 242-7351
Page 1 of 2
Strange
Alabama Attorney
General
AG ANNOUNCES CONVICTIONS RELATED TO METH LAB
(MONTGOMERY) – Attorney General Luther Strange today announced the
convictions and sentences of several defendants in Cherokee County Circuit Court for
crimes related to manufacturing methamphetamine.
Michael Todd Hicks, 41, of Piedmont, was sentenced on March 12 to life
imprisonment for manufacturing a controlled substance, to 20 years imprisonment for
possession of a precursor to a controlled substance, and to 15 years for possession of a
controlled substance. A precursor is an ingredient used to make a controlled substance.
Hicks and two other defendants, Tina Wilson Parker and Cristen Arledge, were
discovered by law enforcement in a vehicle with meth lab components, and were
arrested on January 15, 2011, in Centre. Evidence revealed that these three had
previously cooked meth the night before at Parker’s residence in Centre, with her 11-
year-old son present. Hicks pleaded guilty on November 4, 2011, to manufacturing a
controlled substance. On the same day, Parker and Arledge pleaded guilty to
conspiracy to unlawfully manufacture a controlled substance. In addition, Parker
pleaded guilty to chemical endangerment of a child. Parker and Arledge also were
sentenced on March 12, each to 10 years imprisonment, which was suspended, and a
term of five years of probation.
Additional investigation revealed that Terry North and Christopher Hicks had
purchased cold medications containing pseudoephedrine and provided it to Michael
Hicks with knowledge that it was going to be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
North and Christopher Hicks pleaded guilty on November 4, 2011, to possession of a
precursor substance. On Monday they were each sentenced to 10 years imprisonment,
which was suspended, and five years of probation.
Arledge is 41 years old, of Huntsville; Parker is 47, of Centre; North, 44, is of
Centre; Christopher Hicks, 39, is of Cedar Bluff. Michael and Christopher Hicks are
brothers.
Attorney General Strange commended those involved in bringing this case to a
successful conclusion, noting in particular Assistant Attorney General Ben Baxley of the
Attorney General’s Violent Crimes Division. He also thanked the Centre Police
Department, the Cherokee County Narcotics Task Force and CVS Pharmacy.
501 Washington Avenue * Montgomery, AL 36104 * (334) 242-7300
www.ago.alabama.gov Page 2 of 2
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