By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Phone call reveals meth lab
Baker C w sm
BAKER
A prisoner at the DeKalb County Jail was charged with having a meth lab at his residence after the sheriff’s department heared him discussing it with his wife on the jail phone.According to Sheriff Patrick Ray, jail officials learned of the lab after reviewing a recorded telephone conversation between the two.Matthew Allen Baker, 31, and his wife Crystal Michelle Baker, 30, were both charged in the case.Matthew Baker was charged with promotion of methamphetamine.He was also cited for simple possession of a Schedule II drug and for possession of drug paraphernalia.Crystal Baker was charged with possession of a Schedule II drug for resale and promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine.Ray said Matthew Baker was picked up at his home on an outstanding state warrant for violation of probation on May 9.Baker was allegedly found in his bedroom, along with a bowl which contained a powdery substance believed to be meth and a plate with a powdery substance believed to be Hydrocodone.The sheriff said three straws, two knives, and aluminum foil containing a residue from a powdery substance were also found at the scene.The day after Baker was arrested, Ray said his department listened to a recorded telephone conversation from the jail between Matthew and Crystal Baker, and allegedly caught them talking about meth lab components in their house and barn.A drug detective reportedly received consent from Crystal Baker to search the home and found drain cleaner, muriatic acid, Coleman fuel, acetone, propane tanks, coffee filters, cold packs, ammonium nitrate, and several other items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine, as well as some finished product, on the propertyRay said the detective also found about a half-gram of methamphetamine in a child's coat pocket in the child’s bedroom.Crystal Baker allegedly admitted to knowing the items were on the property, and that she had tried to hide them.Matthew Baker reportedly told investigators that the items belonged to him. Both will appear in General Sessions Court on May 16.Meanwhile, Grady Murphy, 35, was charged with theft of property over $1,000 on April 30.Ray said Murphy took several steel pipes and several feet of barn lumber, valued at more than $1,000, from property on Indian Creek Road.His bond was set at $5,000, and he will appear in court on May 16.Chrissy Michelle Evans, 39, of West Main Street, Dowelltown was charged with domestic assault on May 6.Ray said Evans got into a confrontation with her husband at a residence on Main Street in Dowelltown.Evans allegedly got physical with him, scratching his face causing him to bleed.Ray said she also grabbed and tore his shirt.Evans bond was set at $2,500, and she will appear in court on May 16.Tania Pegeen Sewell, 41, was charged with domestic assault.Sewell allegedly assaulted her 19-year-old daughter at a residence on Hurricane Ridge Road by pushing her down, leaving red marks on the right side of her back.Sewell was transported to the sheriff's department for booking.Her bond is $1,500 and she will be in court on May 16.Everette Charles South, Jr., 44, was charged with criminal trespassing on May 10.Ray said a correctional officer at the jail saw South come onto the jail property and throw a pack of cigarettes over a fence where inmates were exercising.His bond was set at $1,500 and he will appear in court on May 16.