MASON CITY – A Mason City man who broke into Hogan Bremer Moore Colonial Chapel located at 126 3rd Street NE in the early morning hours of June 6th, 2012 in order to steal embalming fluid has received a suspended prison sentence and must perform 40 hours of community service.
Dennis Gene Chlupach, age 33, was arrested by Mason City police shortly after the burglary and found to be in possession of the missing embalming fluid from the funeral home. In addition law enforcement found Chlupach in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Embalming fluid is often used to dip marijuana or tobacco cigarettes in before being dried and smoked. The treated marijuana or tobacco cigarettes are known on the streets at “wets”. The smoker is said to get extreme hallucinations similar to that of another illegal substance known PCP (phencyclidine).
In recent years there have been numerous cases of the smokers of embalming fluids becoming violent and hurting other people and in a few instances committing murder while hallucinating on the substance. Studies have also revealed a risk of kidney failure from repeated use.
At a plea change hearing on December 3rd District Court Judge DeDra L. Schroeder ordered the original class C felony count of 2nd Degree Burglary to be reduced to a lessor class D felony count of 3rd Degree Burglary.
At Chlupach’s sentencing hearing Monday, January 28th, presiding Assistant Chief Judge James M. Drew gave Chlupach a suspended 5 year prison sentence for the reduced 3rd Degree Burglary conviction. Judge Drew also suspended a minimum $750 dollar fine. Instead of fines or prison time Judge Drew sentenced Chlupach to perform 40 hours of community service and complete 3 years of probation with the Iowa Department of Corrections.
Judge Drew also ordered the possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia charges dismissed as part of the plea bargain agreement reached with the prosecution in the case.
Chlupach was also sentenced to serve 2 days in jail for a 5th Degree Theft charge from November after he was caught shoplifting at Hy-Vee Drug.
