Eight arrested in Hanging Rock bust

 

HANGING ROCK — An alleged methamphetamine lab bust by Hanging Rock Police has ended with eight people arrested.

“This is the third one this year,” Hanging Rock Police Chief Chris Steed said. “We acted on a tip and found an active meth lab at 150 Daniels Drive. When officers arrived, we could smell the chemicals. They had the windows up and it was in plain view.”

In February Hanging Rock Police arrested four men after they stopped a truck the four men were in. A search of the vehicle showed there was a mobile meth lab inside. All four men pleaded guilty and were sentenced to prison.

There was a second meth lab bust at a private residence earlier this year, the chief said.

Steed called the operation at the Daniels Drive house a full-blown active lab when officers arrived at 11:30 p.m. Friday.

“They tried to flush the chemicals down the toilet and it melted the whole toilet,” Steed said. “It could have blown everything up.”

The residence had to be cleared of meth fumes before officers could enter the premises.

Hamilton Fire Department, the Lawrence County Drug Task Force and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency were contacted for assistance, according to Sgt. Robert Deerfield of the Hanging Rock Police.

Arrested were Michael Chatfield, 30, Hanging Rock, charged with manufacturing and cultivating illegal drugs, permitting drug abuse and possession of criminal tools; Katie Horsley, 31, of Ironton, administering or manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of criminal tools; James Hay, 18, of Argillite, Ky., manufacturing or cultivating illegal drugs and possession of criminal tools; Amber Hay, 19, of Argillite, administering or manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of criminal tools; David Ritchie, 19, of Wurtland, Ky., manufacturing and cultivating illegal drugs and possession of criminal tools; Melissa York, 27, of Wurtland, administering or manufacturing of a controlled substance and possession of criminal tools; Aaron Dillow, 34, of Bellville, manufacturing and cultivating illegal drugs, possession of criminal tools and a bench warrant out of Marrow County; and Earl Horsley, 33, of Greenup, Ky., manufacturing and cultivating illegal drugs, possession of criminal tools and tampering with evidence.

There were no juveniles in the house, Steed said.

All eight will appear before Ironton Municipal Judge O. Clark Collins at 1:30 p.m. Monday. They remain in the Lawrence County Jail.