Members of a family who pleaded guilty earlier this year to operating a methamphetamine lab in Buffalo will spend much of the next decade in federal prison.

Michael Chad Thompson, Donna Millwood Roberts and Kevin Ray Thompson were sentenced Thursday afternoon by U.S. District Judge Henry Floyd for their role in the operation of a meth lab at their home at 634 Riley Road.

The three were arrested in February as a result of a raid on their home by The Union County Drug Task Force. After the raid Sheriff David Taylor said there were enough chemicals in the house to produce 14 and one-half grams of meth. He said the lab was a danger to people living in the area.

The three were originally charged with possession of a Schedule 3 narcotic (Hydrocodone), trafficking methamphetamine, unlawful conduct toward a child, possession of marijuana and unlawful disposal of waste from meth production. Chad Thompson, however, was allowed to plead guilty to creating a substantal risk to the health of a minor and manufacturing meth. He was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison, payment of a $100 specified assessment fee, three years supervised release during which he would be required to participate in substance abuse treatment and testing and participate in a job program.

Kevin Thompson was allowed to plead to the manufacture and distribution of meth. He was sentenced to 6 years and eight months in prison, payment of a $100 specified assessment fee and four years supervised release. Thompson was also sentenced to participation in a substance abuse treatment and testing program and in a job program. His attorney asked if his client could be enrolled in the federal Bureau of Prisons drug treatment and testing program and the request was granted.

Their mother, Donna Roberts was also sentenced to 10 years in prison but was granted temporary release on personal recognizance by Floyd. The release was granted to give Roberts time to spend with her sick mother. She will nevertheless be required to report to prison, probably sometime in early 2010.

Floyd also ordered Roberts to stay away from the child placed in danger by the meth lab. He also sentenced her to three years supervised release following the completion of her prison sentence and payment of a $100 special assessment fee.

Two other members of the family — Tim Millwood and Eddie Millwood — were sentenced to prison earlier this month with Tim getting 80 months and Eddie 41 months.