CLARION – Acting on a tip from the Clarion County Adult Probation Office, the Clarion County Narcotics Enforcement Team and Pennsylvania State Police raided a suspected methamphetamine lab in Shippenville last week.
Steve C. Wilson, 31, and Amanda Lynn Wilson, 28, both of Railroad Street in Shippenville, were charged after the Feb. 3 incident.
Court documents indicate Clarion County adult probation officer Jay Kerle and other probation officers made a routine visit to the Wilson home as part of Amanda Wilson’s probation terms.
Inside the home, Kerle and officers encountered Amanda and Steve Wilson. On a nearby table, Kerle allegedly observed Sudafed boxes, “cold packs and lithium batteries.
Upstairs, Kerle allegedly observed “acid generators,” Coleman stove cooking fuel, and “one pots.”
Amanda Wilson allegedly told Kerle there were other items in the home used to make methamphetamine.
Kerle contacted CNET lead investigator William H. Peck IV and advised him of the items found in the home.
Peck arrived at the home and interviewed Steve Wilson. Steve Wilson allegedly said he was unaware of any methamphetamine activity at the home, the documents say.
Peck said Steve Wilson told him he had driven Amanda Wilson to her probation appointment that day and then took her to Walmart where she purchased a box of Sudafed. Steve Wilson also said he then drove Amanda to the Dollar Store where she purchased lithium batteries, according to Peck, according to the documents.
Steve Wilson said the couple drove to a residence where they picked up a relative who then purchased another box of Sudafed and gave the box to Amanda Wilson.
Peck said Steve Wilson told him he doesn’t use methamphetamine and didn’t have any knowledge of the meth-related items in the house, the documents said.
Peck said Amanda Wilson told him she purchased Sudafed at Walmart and cold packs at the Dollar Store, but Steve Wilson purchased the lithium batteries, according to the documents. Amanda also told Peck she and her husband have been “cooking meth” for about two months and that her husband “usually cooked” the meth while she “cleaned up the mess,” Peck said.
Amanda Wilson also told Peck where to find two tote bags used for storing the waste from the manufacturing of methamphetamine while the other tote contained the items needed to complete the process, Peck said.
Troopers from the state police Troop C Vice Unit executed a search warrant on the home and seized the items used to make methamphetamine, the documents said.
Both Wilsons are charged with criminal conspiracy; manufacture, delivery or possession of a controlled substance; criminal possession of liquefied ammonia gas, precursors and chemicals; operation of a methamphetamine lab and illegal dumping of methamphetamine waste; and possession of pseudoephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Bail for both defendants was set at $50,000. Preliminary hearings are scheduled Tuesday, Feb. 16, for both defendants.
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