The sentencing hearing for a Hutchinson man found guilty of charges associated with a meth lab discovered north of Hutchinson will remain in limbo for the time being. It’s been on hold because Jason Casanova remains in federal custody.

He’s charged in federal court with unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. The crime is alleged to have occurred on Aug. 1st, of last year. That case is still pending in federal court. If convicted on the federal charge, Casanova faces a maximum penalty of 10-years in federal prison and a fine up to 250-thousand dollars.

He is expected to be sentenced at some point in District Court on several felony charges associated with the meth lab which was discovered after a search warrant was served on a storage unit he was renting at 6210 North Tobacco Road. That was back on August 31, of last year. But, no new date has been set because of the federal case.

The charged came about after a search warrant was served while police looked for the gun used to shoot and kill Jennifer Heckel, which they suspected could be at that location.

During the preliminary hearing for murder suspects Billy Craig Jr., and Charles Christopher Logsdon, it came to light that Casanova was told to get rid of the murder weapon after the shooting. While searching for the gun, police then allegedly discovered the items consistent with the manufacture methamphetamine and the got a second search warrant on those items. The gun was never found at that location.

Both sides are recommending 36-months community corrections in this case whenever the sentencing hearing occurs, but if convicted of the federal charges won’t help him much.