Second Woman Charged in Clarion Meth Bust

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published February 6, 2019 5:35 am
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MONROE TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A second woman has been charged in relation to a meth bust that occurred in Clarion last week.

According to court documents, on February 4, Clarion County Detective William H. Peck, IV, filed criminal charges against 53-year-old Marlene E. Kepple, of Emlenton.

She was arraigned on Monday, February 4, at 10:30 a.m. in Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Conspiracy — Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
– Conspiracy — Use/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor

She remains free on $25,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12, in front of Judge Schill.

The charges stem from an investigation by CNET (Clarion County Narcotics Enforcement Team) and Clarion County Chief Detective William H. Peck.

According to a criminal complaint, on January 29, 2019, Clarion County Chief Detective William Peck obtained information that Marlene Kepple attempted to purchase a box of pseudoephedrine at Walmart located in Monroe Township, Clarion County, and was blocked from the purchase. Seven minutes later another person, Kelly Adkins, with a VA driver’s license, attempted to purchase the same box of pseudoephedrine that Kepple attempted to purchase. Walmart security office was contacted and was able to determine that Kepple and Adkins were together.

Walmart Loss Prevention also was able to determine that Adkins purchased lithium batteries and coffee filters, also items used to manufacture methamphetamine. Loss prevention described the individuals’ vehicle as a black Chevy Trailblazer.

Detective Peck was able to locate the suspect vehicle with VA registration plates in the parking lot of Tractor Supply, another known store to purchase items used to make methamphetamine. Detective Peck observed the vehicle was only occupied by the driver.

He waited by the state police barracks for the vehicle to leave. When the vehicle left, Tractor Supply was contacted, and it was learned that the female who was in the store purchased a bottle of crystal drain cleaner. Detective Peck followed the suspect vehicle on State Route 68, and it turned onto Piney Road. The suspect vehicle pulled into a driveway and backed out in front of Detective Peck. He approached the vehicle and id’ed the driver as Adkins and the passenger as Kepple. Detective Peck asked both women when was the last time they did meth. They both stated it’s been awhile, according to the complaint.

Detective Peck then asked them if they had any items to make meth in the car. Adkins allegedly said “yes,” — the pills, batteries, coffee filters, and drain cleaner. Kepple admitted to purchasing the drain cleaner at Tractor Supply. She stated she was just doing it for the money. She was going to be paid $100.00 from “Gary” to buy the stuff for him. Adkins said that Gary cooks meth. Both Adkins and Kepple were taken into custody and transported to the District Attorney’s office, the complaint states.

Adkins and Kepple id’ed the cook as Gary McGinnis and id’ed his residence as 5464 Route 368 Parker, Pa.

Adkins said that she was on the way to deliver the items to McGinnis when Chief Peck stopped them. She called McGinnis on the phone in Detective Peck’s presence, and agreed to meet around 3:55 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, at Taco Bell in Clarion to give McGinnis the meth precursors, the complaint indicates.

McGinnis was taken into custody in the parking lot of Taco Bell. He was read his Miranda rights, and he denied that he was there to pick up the items to make meth. He stated that he was owed $100.00, according to the complaint.

McGinnis allegedly admitted that he cooks meth and uses meth. He stated that the known woman and Adkins and another female provide him with boxes (of precursors) so he can make the meth.

McGinnis consented to a search of his residence on State Route 368, and police seized a methamphetamine one pot and other related items at his residence, the complaint states.

McGinnis was arraigned on Thursday, January 31, at 7:13 p.m. in Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor

Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, he remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail.

Adkins was arraigned in Judge Schill’s office on Friday, February 1, at 2:58 p.m. on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Conspiracy — Knowingly Possess Ephedrine, Misdemeanor

She is free on $25,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on February 12 with Judge Schill presiding.

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