Kenneth Bauer plead guilty to illegal manufacturing of drugs, theft of anhydrous ammonia and breaking and entering

Kenneth Bauer, 61, was scheduled to go to trial today but as part of a plea agreement with the prosecution, he decided to plead guilty to illegal manufacturing of drugs, theft of anhydrous ammonia and breaking and entering. The maximum sentence Bauer could have received if he was found guilty at trial was 11 years in prison, according to Judge Steven Beathard.On Feb. 23, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received information about people trespassing at Crop Production Services, 4111 McKillip Road, and deputies located a suspicious vehicle in the area, according to reports. The driver of the vehicle was Bauer, who was reportedly driving under suspension.Bauer was arrested and transported to the sheriff’s office.Deputies checked the business and found evidence of the theft of anhydrous ammonia and also found two sets of footprints in the snow leading away from the rear of the business around the location of the anhydrous ammonia.Deputies followed the tracks and after a lengthy search, a man identified as Thomas D. Woods, 27, of Williamsburg, was located near Hidy Road, according to reports. The search continued with the second set of tracks and a third suspect, identified as Clifford Lee, was located hiding inside of a shed on a local farm.Both Woods and Lee were taken into custody and taken to the sheriff’s office. During interviews with the men, they reportedly admitted their intentions and involvement in the theft of the anhydrous ammonia. Lee and Woods both pleaded guilty to the same charges; Lee was sentenced to four years in prison and Woods was sentenced to three years in prison, both agreed sentences.
Bauer has a previous illegal manufacturing of drugs conviction in another county. Judge Beathard also suspended Bauer’s driver’s license for six months.