EATON — Five people were arrested last week, after Preble County Sheriff’s Deputies attempting to locate a subject on an outstanding arrest warrant on Thursday evening, Jan. 14 discovered a meth lab in an Eaton apartment.
At approximately 7:19 p.m. on Thursday, law enforcement officials discovered the methamphetamine operation inside an apartment at 112 Village South Drive in Eaton.
According to Sheriff Mike Simpson, upon their arrival deputies were given permission to search the apartment for the wanted subject. It was during this search they located the lab inside a bedroom closet.
Deputies also located numerous items used in the manufacturing process of methamphetamine, including liquids that tested positive for anhydrous ammonia, propane tanks, solvents, syringes, pseudoephedrine and other equipment needed for the process. Deputies also located a small amount of heroin, Simpson reported.
Clandestine lab technicians from the Preble County Sheriff’s Office collected evidence on the scene, including the chemicals found. No children were found in the apartment, but two children who were under three years of age live in an adjacent apartment.
Three people were arrested and housed in the Preble County Jail on charges related to the methamphetamine lab. They included: William J. Collins, 31, Eaton; Leah R. Oliver, 18, of Eaton and Ace E. Gulley, 38, of Eaton. All three were charged with one count of possession of controlled substance, a fifth-degree felony; one count of illegal assembly or possession of chemicals to manufacture, a second-degree felony; one count of illegal manufacture of drugs, a first-degree felony and one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony.
Two adults were arrested on outstanding warrants. Those individuals included Vallen Wallace, 33 of Eaton, for misdemeanor warrants for failure to appear Eaton Municipal Court; and Nicole L. Sherer, 32, of Eaton, on a probation violation warrant, Preble County Common Pleas Court.
The investigation has been forwarded to the Preble County Prosecutor’s Office for review and the filing of formal charges. All suspects remain housed in the Preble County Jail, pending formal filing of charges, at press time.
