Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Elderly Resident Removed From Home Where Grandson Made Meth
Local law enforcement officers serving a warrant last weekend were forced to remove an elderly resident from her home after it was discovered her grandson had been making methamphetamine there.
Officials with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department report deputies went to 11 Barnett Drive in Leoma Sunday to serve a warrant on resident Brandon Olive. When they arrived, they report noticing a man sleeping inside a Ford Explorer parked in the driveway.
Deputies indicate they gained consent to conduct a search of the vehicle and found components of a meth lab housed in the cargo area. Agents report finding inside the vehicle the following items: three shake bottles, tubing, homemade fittings, lye ammonia nitrate, lithium batteries, and Coleman fuel.
The scene was secured and agents with the department’s Crime Suppression Unit and certified officers with the Lawrenceburg Police Department summoned to the scene. Also summoned to the scene were members of the Tennessee Methamphetamine Task Force, Leoma Fire Department and the Lawrenceburg Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team.
During the operation deputies report that Olive was located inside the home. He was placed under arrest on the outstanding warrants as well as charges of possession of a legend drug without a prescription.
The man who had been sleeping inside the vehicle, Kenneth McLaughlin, was arrested on charges of possession of schedule II narcotics (meth), possession of drug paraphernalia, public intoxication, possession of a Legend Drug without a prescription, initiation of a process intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine, promotion of a process to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine, and possession of a Schedule IV drug (Xanax).
While working inside the home, agents indicate they discovered some meth lab components inside a rear bedroom. In addition, they report those involved gave statements that lead them to quarantine the home.
A female resident, age 71, had to be removed from her home due to possible contamination. Officials indicate she will be unable to return to her home until such time as a certified cleanup crew inspects the premises and deems it safe for habitation.
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