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PROVO, Utah (AP) — A Brigham Young University student accused of making methamphetamine in his university-approved housing is expected to take a plea deal in the case.
Defense attorney Jere Reneer told a judge Wednesday that BYU student Bryce Cazier plans to enter a plea at his next court date Jan. 14.
Reneer said his client was using a lab setup in his room at his off-campus apartment to make soap and essential-oil extracts last month, but he acknowledged that the student also had suspicious materials.
"The stuff was there to do it," Reneer said. "He was doing the extract stuff. . But he also had an interest in doing some other stuff, which was stupid and he knows it."
The 22-year-old is facing one felony count of operating a clandestine lab.
The investigation started after Cazier's roommates went into his room to help douse a fire. They picked his lock after he left the apartment and found suspicious glassware and chemicals, Provo police said.
Investigators said in a search warrant they also found meth on his laptop.
Cazier is also facing misdemeanor theft charges after police say he shoplifted from a state liquor store.
Reneer said his client is now taking a break from school and seeking treatment for an alcohol problem, but the student isn't addicted to meth, The Daily Herald of Provo reported (http://bit.ly/1urYiEc ).
"This is a chemistry project gone wrong," Reneer said.
BYU students must follow an honor code that forbids premarital sex, alcohol consumption and tattoos, among other things.
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