2 Charged in Methamphetamine Laboratory
Oskaloosa Police Department
Oskaloosa, Iowa- Oskaloosa Police Department Press Release:
On May 31st 2011 at about 9:30 AM, Child protection workers with the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) contacted the Oskaloosa Police Department in reference to information they had received about a possible clandestine methamphetamine laboratory (commonly referred to as a “meth lab”) at a residence in Oskaloosa. Investigators with the Oskaloosa Police Department and the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and DHS initiated an investigation which led them to the residence of Dunstan Lee Ledford, Melissa Jo Payne and their infant son located at 701 North Market Street Apartment #1 in Oskaloosa, Iowa. At about 11:30 AM the investigators knocked at the door receiving no response however they noticed several meth lab components just off of the porch. The investigators applied for and received a search warrant for the apartment which was executed at about 2:40 PM. The Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement was contacted to assist with the search warrant. Inside the residence, investigators recovered more than five grams of a methamphetamine reaction mixture, a hydrogen chloride generator, a blender used as a pseudoephedrine pill crusher, and several items of drug paraphernalia. All hazardous materials were removed from the scene.
After executing the search warrant, investigators received arrest warrants for Payne and Ledford charging them with manufacturing more than five grams of methamphetamine and wanton neglect of a dependent
person. On June 4th 2011 at about 3:16 AM, Ledford contacted investigators of the Oskaloosa Police Department and made arrangements to turn himself in. Officers went to a residence in Beacon assisted by the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office and workers with DHS. Ledford and Payne were placed into custody without incident. Their infant son has been placed into foster care pending an assessment by DHS.
Manufacturing more than five grams of methamphetamine is a Class B felony and has a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison. Wanton neglect of e dependent person is a class C felony and has a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
The investigation is ongoing and additional criminal charges against other suspects in this case may be filed at a later date.
A criminal charge is merely a criminal charge and not an indication of guilt. All suspects should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
