Couple arrested on meth charges

By Staff
Nathan Strickland
A county couple was taken into custody Wednesday after Franklin County Sheriff’s office investigators found an active meth lab along with two children at their residence.
Authorities said Christopher Rickey Farr, 33, and Jessica Pilkerton-Farr, 24, both of 105 Crandall Street in Spruce Pine was charged with two counts of chemical endangerment of a child and first-degree unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance, which are all felony charges.
Christopher Farr was also charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession and use of drug paraphernalia and failure to register as a habitual offender, officials said.
The couple had been charged with criminal littering for havening an enlarged amount of trash burning on the property, which helped lead Franklin County Sheriff’s office investigators to make the bust.
Investigators found an active, cooking meth lab inside the residence with two children inside, one being an infant.
Authorities believe there had been multiple labs set up at the residence as well as other children who had been exposed to the chemicals.
The Franklin County Department of Human Resources was contacted immediately to care for the children and place them in the custody of other family members. The Drug Enforcement Agency was also contacted to bring in the Hazmat team to help clean up the chemicals inside the residence.
Investigators said 13 containers filled with chemicals were brought out of the residence.
Both are being held at the Franklin County Jail.