ELWOOD — A Madison County magistrate ordered four of six people arrested on methamphetamine-related charges to be held on $100,000 cash bond because of the gravity of their suspected crimes.
On Wednesday, Elwood police arrested six people suspected of making, dealing or possessing meth. Those arrested were:
u Roger S. Purnell, 30, charged Thursday with aiding in dealing meth, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of meth.
u Teela M. Purnell, 27, arrested on suspicion of possession of paraphernalia and maintaining a common nuisance.
u Brian S. Simms, 32, charged with aiding in dealing meth.
u Rickie L. Beeman Jr., 36, charged with dealing meth and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance.
u Kevin W. Wilkerson, 44, charged with dealing meth, maintaining a common nuisance and possession of chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture a controlled substance.
u Michelle I. Frye, 28, charged with possessing meth, illegal drug labSMcGrath 7/2/09 cq charge and maintaining a common nuisance.
Purnell posted bond and was released late Wednesday. But during initial court hearings for the remaining five on Thursday, Magistrate Stephen Clase ordered the bonds of four of the suspects — Frye, Wilkerson, Beeman and Simms — set at $100,000 cash.
“The manufacturing of methamphetamine is an extremely dangerous process, and the defendant is a danger to the community,” Clase wrote in the court documents.
Even if Beeman and Wilkerson were able to come up with $100,000, neither would be released. Beeman allegedly violated his probation by getting arrested, and Wilkerson is currently on parole.
According to court documents:
Elwood officers received a tip shortly before 3:30 a.m. Wednesday about a possible meth lab at the Purnells home in the 2400 block of South H Street. Officers discovered meth inside the home and both Purnells admitted to letting Simms and Frye use the home to make the drug. The Purnells received a portion in return.
During a search of Simms’ and Frye’s home at Forest Glen Apartments, officers discovered a lab used to make the drug.
Later Wednesday, officers received another tip of a possible meth lab at a home in the 1700 block of North C Street. A search of the residence revealed several ingredients used to make meth, and Beeman, who lives at the home, was taken into custody. A woman living at the residence, Kim Heaton, 27, was arrested on outstanding warrants from Tipton and Grant counties.
Later Wednesday, the investigation revealed a third meth lab in an apartment above a garage in the 400 block of South 33rd Street. There officers found Kevin Wilkerson, as well as equipment and ingredients used to make the drug. Wilkerson told police he has made meth three times during the last three weeks. He implicated Beeman and Heaton as helping him get the ingredients.
Contact Shawn McGrath: 640-4883, shawn.mcgrath@heraldbulletin.com
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