May 4, 2012 at 6:08 p.m.
Ratliff 'bath salt' case set for trial
According to court records, Jason Ratliff, 35, appeared in Oneida County Circuit Court earlier this week for a pretrial conference at which time his attorney requested a jury trial be scheduled.
A two-day trial was set for July 31 and Aug. 1.
Ratliff was charged Feb. 3 with possession of 4-MMC and/or MDPV (controlled substances that are 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.
Ratliff, who has entered not guilty pleas to all charges, faces up to seven years behind bars if convicted on all counts.
He is free on a $1,000 signature bond.
Heather Schaefer may be reached at [email protected].
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