A 32-year-old Centralia man has been sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a meth lab that exploded, setting off a fire that destroyed his home. Ronald Carter of Cormick Street entered an alford plea in Marion County County Friday for unlawful use of property. The plea means Carter admits prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him, but he still denies guilt. He was also ordered to complete two years of mandatory supervised release after being released from prison on the Class Two Felony charge. As part of the negotiated plea, a Class 'X' charge of aggravated participation in meth manufacturing was dropped. Carter was one of four people charged in connection with the meth operation following the September first fire. One person, 21-year-old Joshua Benjamin of South Cherry Street, was badly burned in the fire. He initially fled the scene, but was later located receiving hospital treatment. The charge Carter entered the plea said he allowed use of his residence as a location for meth manufacturing after becoming aware of the activity. Centralia Fire officials estimated the home sustained $35,000 to $40,000 damage in the fire. - http://goo.gl/wFzBx
