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November 18, 2008

Child discovered during meth bust

By Patrick McCreless

staff writer

Two Holly Pond residents who allegedly produced meth in the presence of a child are behind bars.

Cullman County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Robin Lee Ritchie, 28 and Jessica Dawn Young, 27 at their residence on Highway 91 Monday on charges of unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in the first degree and chemical endangerment of a child.

Sheriff Tyler Roden said the couple’s 3-year-old child, who was at the residence at the time of the arrests, was placed in protective custody.

According to sheriff’s reports, a deputy allegedly discovered a meth lab at the suspects’ residence while following up on a case pertaining to a theft from a Holly Pond business several weeks ago.

“He (deputy) witnessed evidence of drug use in the home,” Roden said. “Probable cause was developed to conduct a search of the residence. During the search, deputies discovered the existence of a lab.”

Roden said deputies recovered various chemicals used in the manufacturing of meth, approximately 1 gram of the meth and drug paraphernalia.

The Cullman County Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) was called to the scene to help collect the evidence. A private environmental cleanup company was also called to the scene to properly remove the chemicals.

A HAZMAT decontamination team was not required.

“It was not a working lab,” Roden said.

Roden noted that the theft case is still open.

“After inquiring further about the theft to Robin Ritchie, there was not enough probable cause to link him,” Roden said.

Ritchie and Young are incarcerated at the Cullman County Detention Center, each with a $1 million bond.

Unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in the first degree is a Class A felony, punishable by between 10 years and life in prison. Chemical endangerment of a child is a Class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.



‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.

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