Plant City Couple Pleads Guilty to Meth Charges

A Plant City couple pleaded guilty last week in Tampa’s federal court to charges that they conspired to manufacture methamphetamine in the presence of their young children. Beth Nickerson Cantin and Matthew Brian Cantin face up to 20 years in federal prison but will likely receive substantially lower sentences under the terms of the plea agreements negotiated by their criminal defense attorney.

Sentencing will occur after a sufficient pre-sentencing investigation report is completed and submitted to the sentencing judge for review and consideration.

According to their plea agreements, the Cantins told deputies they made the meth in the garage of their home while two of their three chidlren were present. The Cantins have three children, ages six months to nine years.

They were arrested in February after Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to their home on a domestic disturbance call. Beth Cantin said the argument started because her husband wouldn’t let her go into the garage where the chemicals were.

Detectives found a clandestine laboratory that consisted of chemicals necessary to manufacture methamphetamine. Those chemicals generate toxic fumes when combined together to create the drug, according to authorities.

Beth Cantin described herself as a “florist and stay-at-home mom.” Both Cantins are in their mid-30s.

Matthew Cantin indicated, at the plea hearing, that he “was Baker Acted in 2008 for four days” after his wife called authorities. The Baker Act is the common name of the Florida Mental Health Act of 1971, which allows someone to be involuntarily examined (a.k.a. involuntary commitment) for up to 72 hours if there is evidence that the person has a mental illness and is a harm to himself or others.