KNOX, Pa. (EYT) — A Knox man is facing charges for manufacturing methamphetamine in his apartment following a visit from his probation officer.
Court documents indicate on Wednesday, July 12, Clarion County Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) filed criminal charges against 47-year-old Ernest Ethan Meekins, IV, of Knox.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Clarion County Chief Detective William Peck IV, around 1:37 p.m. on July 6, 2017, Probation Officer Jay Kerle, of the Clarion County Adult Probation office, made a home visit to Ernest Meekins’ apartment located at Knox Commons in Knox, Pa.
When Officer Kerle knocked on the apartment door, a female voice said “Come in.” Meekins was sitting at the kitchen table with items consistent with the process to manufacture methamphetamine.
Officer Kerle observed Meekins crushing pills at the table with a pair of pliers. Meekins dropped the pliers, attempted to cover up the crushed pills, and stood up. Officer Kerle observed a box of Allegra D in Meekins’ hand, and Meekins attempted to hide that, as well, the complaint states.
The complaint indicates that Officer Kerle also observed a pile of crushed pills, beads from inside a “cold pack,” a cold pack that was torn apart, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and a Mason jar with white residue.
A camo duffle bag was under the table. It was unzipped, and a funnel, plastic tubing, camp fuel, coffee filters, salt, and cold packs were inside it. A bottle of lye and a bottle of drain cleaner were on the floor behind Meekins, the complaint continues.
All of the above listed items are used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine, the complaint states.
When confronted, Meekins allegedly admitted that he was in the process of cooking meth. Meekins was using the “one-pot” method, according to the complaint.
Meekins was detained, as he was in violation of his probation.
Officer Kerle then contacted Chief Detective William V. Peck IV, and the PA State Police Cladenstine Lab Team was activated. Knox Borough Chief of Police and CNET member Jason Bowen assisted at the scene. He obtained written consent to search the residence.
The Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team seized the following items from the Knox Commons apartment:
– Camo bag
– Rexall Cold Compress (one open and one sealed)
– Crown fuel can Coleman bottle (1/4 full)
– Two bottle caps with tubing and numerous cut tubing
– AA Ultimate lithium batteries
– Cutters, needle nose pliers
– Coffee filter
– Funnel
– Gloves
– Mason jars
– Goya salt container
– One box of Allegra D crushed tablets, foil blisters
– D.G. cold compresses (open)
– Liquid lightning bottle
– Rooto lye bottle
– Two Mason jars with residue
– Foil pipe and straw
– Cell phone with green case
– Plastic bottle (suspected one-pot)
Based on the investigation, Meekins faces the following charges:
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
- Operating a Methamphetamine Lab, Felony 2
- Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
- Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
He remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail and awaits a preliminary hearing.
