Edmond Man Sentenced on Drug Charges

By Greg Elwell, The Daily Oklahoman

Feb. 11–EDMOND — An Edmond man was sentenced to 10 years in jail after pleading guilty to drug charges. William Kent Watkins, 42, admitted to manufacturing and possession of methamphetamine and accepted a plea bargain Thursday that includes a decade in jail and 10 years probation. Oklahoma County district attorney spokeswoman Debra Forshee said the 10 years in jail is for the manufacturing charges, and the probation is for the possession. Watkins was arrested Sept. 8, 2004, after a brief standoff, Edmond police spokeswoman Glynda Chu said. A tip led officers to a barn near Wellston. A pistol, rifle and ammunition were found with Watkins, she said. Police said they spent months searching for Watkins after finding a methamphetamine lab in his mobile home in January 2004. Police found a bag containing a powdery white substance, precursors to the manufacture of methamphetamine and equipment commonly used to make the drug, reports stated. Tip leads to arrest The one thing they didn’t find was Watkins, Chu said. Edmond Crime Stoppers put up a $2,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and within days, a call came in identifying the Wellston barn as his hideout. That tip brought members of the Edmond Response Team, narcotics officers, the Metro Fugitive Task Force, Lincoln County sheriff’s officers and Wellston police to the barn. “It’s just good to know this violent criminal will be off the streets for years to come,” Chu said.

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