Four arrested in Washburn meth lab bust
March 14, 2015
Charlea Mills Four were arrested last week during a methamphetamine lab bust in Washburn. Officers with the Barry County Sheriff’s Department and the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force investigated the crime on Old Wire Road in Washburn. According to the affidavit of probably cause, on March 10, law enforcement went to the Washburn residence with a search warrant. Officers were outside the home for three hours while the suspects refused to come out. Five suspects were found at the residence and four were brought up on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance. Bradley M. Hufford, Jr., 35, of Seligman; Jeremiah Brown, 31, of Bella Vista, Ark.; Samantha Chesner, 19, of Bentonville, Ark.; and Jessica M. George, 25, of Seligman; were each charged with manufacturing a controlled substance and each were booked into the Barry County Jail on $25,000 bonds. At the scene, officers found multiple precursors to make methamphetamine, including pseudoephedrine, lithium batteries, lye, lighter fluid and more. There were also multiple lab components with granular substance and residue left on them. In a black Pontiac at the residence, officers found syringes with clear liquid in them. During the investigation, another female suspect, Brandi Lakey, who has not been formally charged, became combative and attacked one of the detectives. On her person, officers found three meth pipes, a white pill and three syringes. The suspect showed signs of drug overdose and admitted to officers that she took everything she had, including morphine, so that she wouldn’t be charged with possession. Lakey was taken to the Cassville hospital before being transferred to a Springfield hospital. Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly confirmed that Lakey should be facing charges, as well. He stated, “She wasn’t fit for confinement, but we are working on a probable cause and will hopefully have a warrant soon.” |