BY KEN LITTLE
STAFF WRITER
The 85-year-old man charged in connection with an alleged methamphetamine operation discovered Jan. 5 in a house at 35 Peppermint Lane was taken into custody by Sheriff's Department officers Thursday on an arrest warrant.
James B. King, of the Peppermint Lane address, was charged with initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine, sheriff's Deputy Chuck Humphreys said in a report.
King was taken to the hospital on Jan. 5 for issues unrelated to the alleged meth lab operating in the house, authorities said.
He was served the warrant after his release and was freed on $4,000 bond soon afterward, Humphreys said.
When deputies entered the house on Jan. 5, "there was a very strong odor of ammonia in the residence consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine," Deputy Robert Livingston said in a report.
"The odor was so strong as to take officers' breath and burn the eyes," the report said.
The house was evacuated for the safety of deputies and others inside, the report continued.
Occupants of the Peppermint Lane house were taken to Laughlin Memorial Hospital for hazardous-chemical-related decontamination.
The seven other defendants in the case are James A. King, 36, of 35 Peppermint Lane, charged with initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine, aggravated robbery and theft of property; Debra S. King, 56, of 35 Peppermint Lane, charged with being a party to the offense of initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine; and Jesse J. Willett, 33, of 731 Hartshaw Drive, on a charge of initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine.
Also, Richard A. Fox, 32, of 35 Peppermint Lane, on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia; Kristin B. King-Fox, 29, of 35 Peppermint Lane, on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia; Billy J. Wilburn, 25, of 33 Leonard St., on a charge of possession of drug paraphernalia; and Jessica D. Carter, 23, of 731 Hartshaw Drive, on a charge of initiation of a process to manufacture methamphetamine.
James A. King is the grandson of James B. King, authorities said.
