A wife determined to ease her jailed husband’s troubles conspired with him to plant a methamphetamine lab at an acquaintance’s home, then turn the occupant in to try to secure leniency, an official said.

But, the couple forgot one important point. When you telephone a prisoner at the Limestone County Jail, your call may be monitored or recorded. A message even tells you so.

Keri Elizabeth Courson, 25, of 24028 Slate Road in Elkmont was charged Tuesday with manufacturing a controlled substance and remains in the Limestone County Jail in lieu of posting a $50,000 bail. She is accused of placing a call to her husband, 28-year-old Brian Cody Courson, who had been jailed on manufacturing charges since June, and discussing a plot to help him, Limestone County Sheriff’s Lt. Lance Royals said Wednesday.

“She was trying to help Brian out with his charge,” Royals said. “She was going to try to get a case on someone else by putting a meth lab at a residence in the north part of the county and then turning them in,” Royals said.

When the couple called Deputy Johnny Morell, a drug investigator, and shared the tip about the meth lab, he and other officials became suspicious. They recorded the couples’ telephone calls, Royals said. When Morell questioned Keri, she admitted her part in the plot, Royals said.

Brian, of 24385 Hays Mill Road in Elkmont, was charged Tuesday with attempting to commit a controlled substance crime and conspiracy to commit a controlled substance crime. Bond on those charges is set at $10,000.