This month, Wichita Falls Police seized over 1,892 grams of liquid methamphetamine and 3.5 grams of powder meth.
Currently, 40 year old George Robert Weist, is sitting in a Wichita County jail charged with Manufacture-Delivery of a Controlled Substance over 400 grams and Possession of Certain Chemicals with Intent to Manufacture a Controlled Substance. Police tell Newschannel 6 Weist has a history with drugs.
Sheriff Kenny Lemons, is not surprised.
"It seems like it's the same ones over and over again. So it gets frustrating sometimes when you keep putting these people in jail and you keep coming across them with these drug labs," he said, visibly upset.
"He's such hard core, he's been to prison a couple of times. I mean, he 'aint scared," said the Sheriff, holding Menasco's wrap sheet. "These people are shooting at our cops right now. These folks are more dangerous now than they have ever been in the methamphetamine world. They are shooting at us...boobie traps!"
"The citizens, the folks that make up those juries say enough is enough, give them 75 years and he's out before the paint gets dry," said Lemons. "It's a revolving door. The judges are doing their job, the juries are doing their job, these folks are getting stiff sentences but they aint serving them. Why should we have to suffer, over and over and over again, by the same people? That's what's frustrating."
Wichita County resident Don Marshall Horton also has a long history with drugs. Within a 6 month period, Horton was charged with 8 separate cases involving either meth making or possession. He was convicted on 3 manufacturing charges and sentenced to 99 years for each charge. Though his maximum sentence would be through 2103, he is up for up for parole right now.
"What is our state doing to us? We're putting them in jail and they are kicking them out," yelled Lemons.
Both Brian Keith Kinnett and Don Horton are in Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities awaiting parole. The Sheriff blames budget constraints and overcrowding for inmates early release. State officials don't agree.
"The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is not facing any overcrowding issues at this time. We are actually at 97% capacity, so we do still have a few thousand beds that are available for inmate placement," said Michelle Lyons, Director of Public Information for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Though the TDCJ had to cut about $40 million from its budget, the spokesperson for the Department says money doesn't factor into an inmate's release.
"One thing I would stress, when we are facing budget cuts we look to modify programs or delay certain purchases. But one thing we don't look to do is release inmates early, especially inmates who are not eligible for parole," explained Lyons.
Many may be surprised just how much time offenders need to spend behind bars before they are eligible for parole.
'In Texas, you come up for parole when you've served one fourth of your sentence with calendar time- the day to day time you serve - and the good time you earn. They get about 30 days to 40 days a month of good time. When that equals one fourth of your sentence, you're reviewed for parole," explained Troy Fox with the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
"I just think it's priority, I think a lot of times we lose track of our priorities. And law enforcement has their priorities set straight," said Sheriff Lemons. "We're going to catch the bad guys, we're going to put him in jail, and we are going to send him to prison. Now the folks that handle the rest of that, maybe they need to get their priorities straight."
If the parole board does not grant Brian Keith Kinnett and Don Horton release from prison, their cases will be reviewed by a 3 member panel again in a year. The panel takes letters from members of the community into consideration when they are reviewing cases.