The key defendant in last summer's methamphetamine bust in the region has pleaded guilty in Hammond federal court, and several other defendants in the case are doing the same.

Richard "Tricky" Kasper, the lead defendant among some three dozen people charged with being involved in a methamphetamine and marijuana dealing ring, has promised to cooperate with the U.S. attorney's office as part of plea agreement on file in Hammond federal court. The ring allegedly ran meth labs in Porter County.

Kasper, of Kouts, pleaded guilty to manufacturing and dealing methamphetamine as part of an agreement that would dismiss charges related to alleged marijuana sales, drug possession and conspiracy, among other counts.

Kasper's sentencing has not been scheduled, said Kasper's attorney, Michael Bosch. Kasper faces a minimum of 20 years in prison for the drug conviction, and he could be imprisoned for life, according to the plea agreement. Kasper carried a prior felony drug conviction into this case, the plea agreement shows. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andrew Rodovich has recommended that U.S. District Judge Rudy Lozano accept the agreement.

At least four other people charged along with Kasper -- Stacey L. "Weirdo" Judd, of Hebron; Kathleen "Kat" Conley and Kenneth W. Harris, both of Kouts; and Jason G. White, of Lowell -- also have reached agreements with prosecutors, Hammond federal court records show.

Federal agents said they found chemicals and equipment to make methamphetamines in a June raid of Conley's home in rural Kouts. Police said they also found swastikas and symbols of the Invaders biker gang as well as guns and surveillance cameras.

That raid was part of a multistate operation that included police actions across Porter County.

The indictment accuses Judd and Conley of owning meth labs.