19 arrested on meth charges this week
By Staff
Jonathan Willis and Melissa Cason
A countywide sweep of methamphetamine users this week has led to the arrests of 19 people.
Investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff's Office, who arrested 13 people earlier in the week, hauled in two more late Wednesday and four more Thursday afternoon.
Franklin County Sheriff Larry Plott said Aaron Motes, 26, and Stephanie Helton, 22, both of 140 Morris St., Phil Campbell, were charged with first-degree manufacturing of a controlled substance.
The couple was taken into custody after investigators found the remnants of a meth lab in their yard Tuesday evening.
"We received reports that meth was being manufactured in the residence where small children were present," Plott said. "Upon arriving at the residence, investigators found evidence of a meth lab in the yard, which prompted them to obtain a search warrant for the rest of the house."
Plott said that once inside the home, investigators found chemicals used to produce meth, and obtained arrest warrants for both.
First-degree manufacturing of a controlled substance is a Class A felony, punishable by 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
Motes and Helton are being held in the Franklin County Jail. Investigators said more charges could be brought against the couple.
Late Thursday afternoon sheriff's investigators arrested four more people for making or using the substance.
A working meth lab was found underneath a trailer at 100 Town and Country Trailer Park, Lot F-6, Russellville.
The couple who lives there, David Morlan,42, and Amanda Morlan, 28, were charged with second-degree attempting to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The investigation led to the arrests of two more people later in the day.
William Joe Kinard, 32, and Britnie Daphine Buchen, 18, both of 300 Franklin 81, Phil Campbell, were charged with first-degree manufacturing of a controlled substance.
Plott said the latest series of arrest stems from ongoing investigations that will ultimately lead to more arrests.
"In the last several weeks, we have done in-depth investigations throughout the area looking into the sale of pre-cursors that are used to manufacture methamphetamine," he said.
"Of the 19 people arrested, 16 have been charged with manufacturing a controlled substance and all of them have involved the use, sell or making of meth."
Investigators with the ABC board, Franklin County district attorney's office, the Marion County sheriff's office and the Russellville and Phil Campbell police departments have assisted the sheriff's office.
