Fickes Re-sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

A Fayette County man whose conviction was partially overturned on appeal has been re-sentenced to 30 years in prison for methamphetamine manufacturing.

44-year-old Michael Fickes of Vandalia was arrested in January of 2013 on charges including aggravated meth manufacturing. The aggravating factor alleged by prosecutors was that the meth production was taking place within 1,000 feet of a place of worship.

Fickes appealed the conviction, alleging that the prosecution did not establish that the place of worship was a functioning church.

The appeals court agreed with the allegation, but did not set aside the conviction for meth manufacturing, only the aggravating factor.

Judge Don Sheafor this week re-sentenced Fickes to 30 years in prison for meth manufacturing. Still in place is a separate unlawful disposal of meth manufacturing waste that earned Fickes a 10-year sentence that will run concurrent with the meth manufacturing charge.