CHURCH HILL -- A man and woman were arrested last week allegedly in possession of meth manufacturing components and syringes in an abandoned residence that was approved for condemnation by the Church Hill Board of Mayor and Aldermen in May 2010.
Around 12:40 p.m. Thursday, Church Hill Police Department Officer Bryan Pellegrino responded to a trespassing complaint at the abandoned home at 302 Adams St.
Upon his arrival, Pellegrino found Melvin Oliver Skelton, 36, 131 Lynch Road, Church Hill, and Amanda Gail Stanley, 31, 311 Chase Court, Mount Carmel, inside the residence.
The couple allegedly admitted they didn't have permission to enter the residence but said they were walking in the neighborhood and decided to go inside for shade.
CHPD Detective Kevin Grigsby stated in his report that the residence is a known location where people involved in illegal drug activities congregate.
Grigsby said Skelton was also known to police as being the subject of a meth manufacturing investigation.
Skelton and Stanley were taken into custody for criminal trespass, at which time officers conducted a search and located several syringes -- some used and containing a blue substance -- and some unused.
Grigsby said he also found a black duffel bag inside the residence that contained several meth manufacturing components including filters, Coleman fuel, drain cleaner, lithium batteries, salt, and plastic baggies -- as well as a clear baggie containing a residue believed to be meth.
Skelton denied any knowledge of the duffel bag, but Stanley gave police a statement that the duffel bag belonged to Skelton.
Stanley also told police that when officers arrived at the residence Skelton attempted to hide the duffel bag.
Aside from criminal trespass, Skelton was charged with promotion of manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was ordered held in the Hawkins County jail without bond due to already being out on bond at the time of his arrest.
Stanley was additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia. She was released from the Hawkins County jail on bond.