Psychologist Who Ran Drug Lab Gets 10 Years

A North Park psychologist was sentenced Monday to 10 years in federal prison for operating a methamphetamine laboratory.

U.S. District Judge William Enright allowed Douglas Edward Waite, 45, to remain free until April 20, when he is to surrender.

The judge said the lab, at Waite’s home, was capable of producing a large amount of the drug, and he noted that Waite had installed surveillance equipment to warn him of intruders.

Waite pleaded guilty Feb. 2 to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and to possession of a sawed-off rifle. Other weapons charges, including possession of a silencer and of an unregistered machine gun, were dropped.

Twelve pounds of methamphetamine, firearms and $174,400 in cash were discovered in an Oct. 2 search of Waite’s home on Vancouver Street.

Assistant U.S. Atty. Mike Lasater urged that Waite be given a term of 12 years. Waite faced a maximum sentence of 25 years and a $250,000 fine. No fine was imposed.