UNDERCOVER OFFICER NABS MAN IN DRUG SALE

A St. Charles man wanted for several years by drug enforcement authorities,
was arrested Monday night after selling methamphetamine to an undercover
officer.

Donald White, 28, was charged Tuesday with distribution of a controlled
substance and four counts of distribution of an imitation controlled
substance. The first count carries a punishment of 10 to 30 years in prison,
while the others carry two to seven years.

The former Multi-Enforcement Group drug task force "had been trying to get
him for a long time," Finkelstein said. "He didn't sell large quantities,
but sold often."

On five separate occasions since July, White sold methamphetamine and a
precursor to methamphetamine, ephedrine, to an officer with the new St.
Charles County Regional Drug Task Force, authorities said.

Each time he sold what's known as an "eight ball," or an eighth of an ounce,
to the officer, said Lt. Jeff Finkelstein, commander of the task force. An
eight ball cost $225 to $250.

In the first deal, White sold the officer methamphetamine, authorities said.
In the last four deals, he sold ephedrine but told the officer it was
methamphetamine. Finkelstein said he is unsure whether White knew he was
selling ephedrine.

But authorities are waiting on more definitive lab tests to make sure the
substance was not methamphetamine.

White is being held in the St. Charles County Jail in lieu of $35,000 bond.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Steve Kobal had asked for a high bond because
of White's criminal record.

White was convicted in 1995 for drug possession and is still on probation
for that offense. He was also convicted of misdemeanor stealing in 1992.

The drug task force executed a search warrant at White's house on the 1800
block of North Third Street around 6 p.m. Monday, Finkelstein said.
Authorities were acting on information that White was making methamphetamine
in his home, but none of the ingredients or paraphernalia was found.

"We're finding that more and more people are going out to the rural areas to
cook it," Finkelstein said. "They're going out in the middle of the woods."

The "cooking" process to make methamphetamine leaves a distinctive sulfuric
smell. If others are nearby and detect the smell, they could call police.

Finkelstein said White was selling methamphetamine to support a heroin
habit.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst