By Jean Cole
Limestone County Sheriff’s officials arrested four people Thursday night who were allegedly trying to clean up after cooking a batch of methamphetamine.
Sheriff’s investigators had received numerous complaints about someone allegedly cooking methamphetamine at a home at 19049 Airfield St., north of Athens, said Lt. Lance Royals.
Four sheriff’s officials — including Royals, Investigator Josh McLaughlin, Lt. Guy Simmons and Deputy Josh Garlen — went to the home about 6 p.m. Thursday, where McLaughlin smelled what he believed was recently cooked methamphetamine outside the home, Royals said. The investigators also found evidence of recent meth baking outside in the garbage, he said.
After securing the residence, investigators determined the homeowner was not there, so they contacted her and received permission to search the home, Royals said.
“They had just gotten through cooking in the last several hours,” he said. “When we knocked, they started scattering and took several grams of the product and tried to flush it, but they weren’t successful. We also ended up finding precursors (items used to make
meth) and evidence showing they had recently cooked it.”
The investigators arrested the following four suspects on charges of manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance:
• Jessica Juletta Bernier, 39, of 775 Bluff St., Rogersville;
• Jason Ray Rose, 35, of 775 Bluff Drive, Rogersville;
• Joey Wade Trousdale, 28, of 25442 Craft Road, Athens;
• Crystal Kay Gunter, 34, of 26626 Flannagan Road, Athens.
Gunter, who was living the past few weeks at the Airfield Street address, was also charged with domestic violence at the scene for hitting Joey Trousdale in the head because she was angry with him, Royals said.
They remained in the Limestone County Jail Friday in lieu of posting $205,000 bond each.
