Frederick Purcell, called "good at what he does" by local drug agents, promised to help the Warren Clinton Drug and Strategic Operations Task Force make a video to train police officers how to recognize meth labs and how to handle the volatile chemicals used in making the illegal stimulant.

In exchange, Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Robert Ruehlman sentenced the Verona man to five years' probation for illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs. Purcell pleaded guilty May 6. He faced up to five years in prison.

The 32-year-old was caught driving a mobile meth lab in Blue Ash on New Year's Eve - an arrest that led authorities to arrest a Warren County sheriff's deputy on drug charges.

"(Purcell) probably doesn't deserve it," said Ruehlman, noting Purcell's earlier drug convictions and prison history. "But he did help us out."

Drug task force commander John Burke said that authorities do sometimes turn to criminals with specialized knowledge for help.

"The (police officers) who talked to Purcell realized how good he was at this," Burke said. "A lot of people can make methamphetamine, but to make it in quantities and in a short time frame is unusual.

"Anyone who has seen how the process is done is better equipped to recognize this activity," he said.

After his arrest, Purcell told investigators he had just delivered four grams of meth to Warren County Deputy Michael Moore in exchange for $30. He later testified against Moore. The deputy was convicted in July on a misdemeanor charge of illegal possession of dangerous drugs.

Last week Moore, of Batavia, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft in office in connection with a small amount of marijuana that was taken from an evidence locker. Sentencing is set for later this month. Moore is no longer a deputy.

Moore, a childhood friend of Purcell, has said he did not help Purcell make methamphetamine.

Greg Cohen, Purcell's attorney, said his client is committed to living a clean life.

"He is by all accounts an expert on production of methamphetamine and handling the chemicals that go into making it," Cohen said. "He wants to share his knowledge with the task force."

E-mail scoolidge@enquirer.com