Couple accused of drug use in presence of kids

A couple is in custody after investigators discovered over a pound of marijuana in the residence they shared with the woman’s three children.

Natasha Webb, 28, and Brian Matthew White, 20, both of 100 Washington Court, Apartment 222, Russellville, were charged with first-degree unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and endangering the welfare of a child.

According to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver, investigators with the Franklin County Drug Unit received a community tip that there appeared to be drug activity taking place at the Washington Court apartment Webb and White shared.

Oliver said after receiving the tip, investigators began looking into the allegations and obtained enough information for a search warrant.

Oliver said while the investigators were executing the search warrant Monday at 5:45 a.m., they discovered a pound and a half of marijuana and several ounces of crack cocaine along with drug paraphernalia.

Oliver said the Franklin County Department of Human Resources was contacted to take care of Webb’s three children, ages 12, 6 and 2, who were placed with a family member.

“We received information that both Webb and White would smoke the marijuana with the children present in the same room,” Oliver said.

“No child should have to be subjected to drug use – to see it, smell it or be in the same room when it’s going on. We’re glad that we could stop this activity now before the children were harmed even more.”

At press time, both Webb and White remained in custody without bond.