News
Children Removed From Vinton Co. Home After Meth Lab Found
By: WOUB Staff Writer
Posted on:
Update 8 a.m. – The fifth person investigators were searching for in connection with the methamphetamine operation was arrested Thursday night in Wellston.
Jason L. Bishop, 38, of McArthur, was arrested by Wellston Police while trying to pawn a laptop computer at Cashland, according to a release by the Vinton County Sheriff’s Office.
Bishop was driving a vehicle registered to Cindy M. Nicholson, who had been arrested by Vinton County Sheriff’s deputies earlier Thursday, according to the release.
“Bishop was believed by deputies to have fled the scene before the search warrant was executed at Frazee Lane,” the release stated.
He was taken to Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail on the warrant obtained by Vinton County. He is charged with manufacturing meth and felony child endangerment.
A bond hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday.
Four people were arrested and seven children are under the care of Vinton County Children Services after an investigation of methamphetamine manufacturing in a residence.
Vinton County Sheriff’s Office deputies said they received information of meth manufacturing being conducted around several small children in a home on Frazee Lane, according to a release by the sheriff’s office.
On Thursday, four people were arrested in connection with the manufacture of “one-pot” or one-dose meth labs at 64082 Frazee Lane.
After a search warrant was executed, David M. Mercer, 26, of Jackson, was located inside the residence with seven small children.
“An active “one pot” methamphetamine cook was also found, along with what deputies are calling “bulk” amount of methamphetamine,” the release stated.
The investigation uncovered several others possibly involved in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, according to the sheriff’s office.
Mercer was arrested along with Cindy M. Nicholson, 30 of McArthur; Samantha A. Mercer, 26 of Jackson; and Jeffrey P. Lemay, 31 of Hamden, were arrested.
“Charges are expected to be filed in a fifth person at a later date,” the sheriff’s office release stated
The four arrested on Thursday were taken to the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine and felony child endangerment/abuse.
“The case has been forwarded to Prosecuting Attorney Trecia Kimes-Brown for review,” the release stated.
Vinton County Children Services were called and the seven children were removed from the home, according to the sheriff’s office.
“The children ranged in age from one year of age to 11 years of age,” the release stated.
Assisting in the investigation were the Vinton County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Vinton County Emergency Medical Services and the McArthur Fire Department.