| Two Calhoun residents are being held in Central Regional Jail after being charged with the alleged operation of a clandestine drug lab, used for the production of methamphetamine.
Cases against Joseph Paul Kute, 22, and Sherri Lea Davis, 28 (pictured above) are expected to be presented to a grand jury.
The couple were arrested after a search warrant was executed by Cpl. Doug Starcher, Trooper 1st Class Jeff Hunt and Grantsville Police Chief Ron Gordon at the Millstone mobile home of Joseph and Michael Kute on September 23.
According to court documents, authorities said they "smelled a strong chemical smell emitting from the residence," after they received information from a confidential informant.
Trooper Hunt, according to the criminal complaint, said he observed Joseph Kute and Sherrie Davis at the residence, where Davis' daughter, age 9, and son, age 7, were present.
Police obtained a search warrant for this Millstone residence
regarding the operation of a meth lab on September 23
Officer's Starcher and Hunt conducted a search of the residence, discovering three glass containers with a white powder substance, two bottles of Heet, a metal pot containing a white powdered substance, a glass jar containing a clear liquid (with a white solid in the bottom), plastic tubing, among other items consistent with the production of meth.
They also discovered a small amount of marijuana, marijuana seeds and smoking devices.
A police officer, while conducting the search, said he "detected a strong chemical odor consistent with the production of meth throughout the residence."
Shortly after the 1 a.m. search warrant was executed, while being monitored by Grantsville Police Chief Ron Gordon, the accused Joseph Kute fled the residence on foot, reportedly in handcuffs.
Officers Starcher and Gordon were unable to locate the suspect, and Calhoun Sheriff Carl Ballengee and his K-9 were utilized, unable to locate Kute.
Kute turned himself over to authorities later in the day, after which an additional charge of fleeing was issued.
The search warrant indicated authorities had attempted to discover illegal drugs connected to the same individuals at Country Lanes Trailer Park earlier in September, but the residence had been vacated.
Police said they also received information from one of Davis' children regarding a "large quantity of marijuana" in the residence, saying "Michael Kute retrieved three bags of marijuana where it was stored in the child's room."
Joseph Kute was charged with fleeing, destruction of property and attempted robbery by State Police in 2001.
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