Two people have been arrested following the alleged discovery of a methamphetamine operation in their Sullivan County home, where young children, ages 2 and 5, were also living.
The couple face additional charges due to the location of their residence and meth lab — approximately 300 feet from the grounds of Holston Valley Middle School.
The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office reports the arrests were prompted by a tip that meth was being manufactured at 1639 Bristol Caverns Highway, Bristol, Tenn. On Tuesday detectives spoke with one of the residents, who reportedly gave police consent to conduct a search.
SCSO Public Information Officer Leslie Earhart says numerous items used to make meth were located, along with an active lab. Holly Nicole Hilliard, 29, and her boyfriend, Brian Keith Reynolds, 31, were arrested and booked into the Sullivan County jail.
Police say Hilliard's children were also present, prompting the response of the Department of Children's Services to the scene. Hilliard and Reynolds are each charged with promotion of meth, maintaining a dwelling where narcotics are manufactured or sold and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Due to their residence being located near Holston Valley Middle School, they are also charged with manufacturing of methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school zone. An investigation is continuing with additional charges against them pending, related to the presence of the children in the home.
Responding to the scene with Sullivan County police were the 2nd Judicial Drug Task Force, Bristol, Tenn., Vice and Narcotics Detectives, Sullivan County EMS, South Holston Rescue Squad and 421 Area Emergency Services.