Mobile meth lab operator gets prison

Van Wert independent

A man caught sleeping in a semi-tractor-trailer reportedly being used as a mobile meth lab that was parked along the side of U.S. 224 just outside Van Wert is headed for prison while his woman companion seems headed there as well after being caught in similar circumstances in Mercer County.

Chad Bellis, 39, of Celina, was sentenced to two years in prison Tuesday by Judge Charles D. Steele on a charge of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacturing of drugs and was ordered to pay a $5,000 mandatory fine associated with the charge. Judge Steele gave Bellis credit for 56 days in jail he had served while awaiting sentencing.

Both Bellis and Tyann N. Montalvo, 22, also of Celina, were found asleep inside a semi rig parked beside U.S. 224 west of Van Wert. Troopers from the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopped and woke them up, but also reportedly discovered signs that the semi was being used as a mobile meth lab. Both Bellis and Montalvo were arrested at that time and the truck was processed as a hazardous waste site because of the toxic chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine.

During his sentencing on Tuesday, Bellis’ mother and his attorney, Todd Wolfrum, asked the judge to seriously consider providing a treatment option for te defendant, who has had a long-term involvement with drugs.

Assistant County Prosecutor Kevin Taylor said that it appeared, from the amount of chemicals found in the semi, that Bellis and Montalvo were apparently manufacturing the meth for their own use only.

Meanwhile, Montalvo was returned to jail after being arrested by Celina Police on April 22, along with two others, in another mobile meth lab operation. Montalvo, who was out on bond at the time of her latest arrest, will appear today for a bond violation hearing in Van Wert County Common Pleas Court.

Prior to her April 22 arrest, Montalvo was to be sentenced on May 18 on a charge of illegal assembly or possession of chemical for the manufacture of drugs.

She is currently being held in the Mercer County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond and will be transported back to Van Wert today for her bond violation hearing.