Seven arrested for meth

(From left, top to bottom): Christen Garrison, Christopher Grimes, Felicia Willcutt AKA Nicole Pendergraph, Matthew Schmickel, Cassie Joseph, Kayla McDonald and Dion Joseph.

Seven people were arrested Thursday afternoon after the Franklin County Drug Task Force served a search warrant on a Red Bay home.

Drug Task Force investigators, along with Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators, as well as a District Attorney investigator, served a search warrant at 1142 Highway 11 South, Red Bay, at around 2 p.m. Thursday, according to the FCSO report. Seven people were arrested and charged with manufacturing a controlled substance second degree, possession of controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, those being: Kayla McDonald, 25, Christen Garrison, 22, Cassie Joseph, 29, Felicia Willcutt aka Nicole Pendergraph, 36, Matthew Schmikel, 35, Dion Joseph, 40, and Christopher Grimes, 30.

According to the report, there was evidence of drug abuse throughout the house, and a small child was also present in the house. It was believed the child was present when the drugs – methamphetamine – were being used. “It is an ever-growing problem in the area, and even though seven adults were arrested, it’s always an even sadder scene when a child is present,” an FCSO representative commented.

Drug Task Force investigators have been working diligently to combat the growth of these type of drug problems in Franklin County. If anyone has information relating to drug activity, they can call the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 256-332-8820. The FCSO holds a no tolerance policy for these activities.