March 13, 2012 at 8:37 a.m.

Bond reduced in Ratliff 'bath salts' case


By Heather Schaefer-heather@rivernewsonline.com

A judge on Monday agreed to reduce bond in the case of a Rhinelander man charged with possession of "bath salts" and improvised explosives.

Jason Ratliff, 35, appeared in Oneida County Circuit Court Monday morning and waived his right to a preliminary hearing.

Following the waiver, Ratliff's attorney asked that bond be reduced from $1,000 cash to a signature bond.

The attorney, Paul Arbuckle, noted Ratliff is making no effort to mount a defense to the charges and is cooperating with police.

Reserve Judge Robert E. Kinney agreed to the request after the state chose not to object to it. Kinney also found there is probable cause to believe Ratliff committed a felony.

Ratliff was charged Feb. 3 with possession of 4-MMC and/or MDPV (a controlled substance that is frequently a component of bath salts), possession of an improvised explosive device and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the complaint, a search warrant was executed at Ratliff's residence Jan. 20 resulting in officers locating "numerous used syringes" believed to contain liquefied bath salts.

According to the National Institutes of Health website, bath salts is a common name for a powerful, designer stimulant drug that mimics the effects of cocaine and methamphetamine. It is believed the name bath salts is used because the substance looks similar to bath salts commonly used for soaking in bathtubs.

Three improvised explosive devices were also located in the search, according to the complaint.

"All of the items of evidence were located well within reach of the minor children in the residence, including underneath the bathroom sink utilized by the children in the residence, inside of a guitar case on the floor of the kitchen and on a table in the basement area of the residence," according to the complaint.

Based on information provided by Ratliff and others, an additional search warrant was executed in the town of Newbold. Located in that search were approximately 31 improvised explosive devices, trace amounts of what police believe is bath salts, a scale, flash powder, fuses and other supplies.

The complaint also includes information from Ratliff about an incident involving another individual putting an improvised explosive device into a stuffed bear and attempting to light it on the side of an Oneida County highway.

"Ratliff stated the wick did not ignite the flash powder and the bear was left on the side of the road," the complaint states.

A minor male subject found the bear and took it home. It was later turned over to the sheriff's office. The complaints do not indicate a motive for the creation of improvised explosive devices.

Ratliff faces up to seven years behind bars if convicted on all counts. Arraignment was set for March 26.

Heather Schaefer may be reached at heather@rivernewsonline.com.

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