By Staff
DRUG ARRESTS Maj. Ward Calhoun of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department, left, is shown with two officers from the East Mississippi Drug Task Force Senior Agent Karl Merchant and Agent Chris Swanner. The officers announced five arrests involving crystal methamphetamine during a press conference Wednesday at the Lauderdale County jail. PHOTO BY CARISA MCCAIN / THE MERIDIAN STAR
By Steve Gillespie / staff writer
Nov. 7, 2002
Two Meridian men remained in jail today and a Union woman was released after a tip led East Mississippi Drug Task Force agents to a methamphetamine lab in Lauderdale County.
Karl Merchant, senior agent with the drug task force, said a tip to CrimeStoppers on Tuesday led to the arrest of the three suspects. Merchant said agents found a meth lab at 9562 Pine Springs Road.
Arrested were Trenton Allen Bradford, 22, 10133 Allan Swamp Road, Meridian; Angela Comans, 26, 1022 East Jackson Road, Union; and Jimmy R. Moulds Jr., 27, 3390 Rosien Road, Meridian.
All three were charged with possession of methamphetamine; possession of two or more precursors with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine; and conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine.
Bradford and Moulds were still in jail today under $15,000 bond each. Comans, who is pregnant, was released; it was unclear whether she posted bond or was released on her own recognizance.
Merchant said the suspects could face up to 30 years in prison for each of their charges.
Officers went to the Pine Springs Road residence at about 10 p.m. Tuesday and knocked on the door, Merchant said. Bradford ran out the back and was taken into custody by deputies, Merchant said.
In a separate methamphetamine case, Merchant said another CrimeStoppers tip several months ago initiated an investigation of David Ingram, 38, of Meridian.
A search warrant was issued for his residence, 3140 Officers Lake Road, Lot 8, on Oct. 31.
Both Ingram and Jerrie Michelle Smith, 31, also of 3140 Officers Lake Road, were charged with possession of more than 1 ounce of crystal methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.
Ingram and Smith were arrested and bond was set at $5,000 each. Both Ingram and Smith were released from jail on bond Wednesday.
Merchant said other people are involved in the case and more arrests are expected.