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Meth bust nets three suspects and contraband
On Friday, December 28, 2007, at 10:30 a.m., Miller County Sheriff's Department Chief Investigator, Ben Nix, received a call from Captain Cecila Willis of the Decatur County Sheriff's office.The call was in reference to an auto theft in Decatur County. Captain Willis stated that she had received information that Josh Smith and David Cross were in possession of a stolen white Ford Thunderbird. She stated that the stolen vehicle was possibly in Miller County. At approximately 11:30 a.m., another call from Capt. Willis reported that the vehicle had been located at Cross Shop in Seminole Co. At approximately 1:00 p.m., Capt. Willis advised that the stolen vehicle had been taken from the shop in Seminole County. Capt. Shane Rathel and Inv. Nix went to the location where the stolen vehicle had been found, and the subject at the shop and other witnesses stated that Josh Smith and David Cross had the vehicle.
Capt. Rathel contacted Miller County Investigator B.J. Josey and advised him to go to 78 Bryan Road and stand by until they arrived at that scene. When the two officers arrived, Inv. Nix knocked on the door of the residence. He could hear people inside, but they would not come to the door. By this time other sheriff officers,Deputy Mary Price, Sgt. Dale Glover, both of Miller S.O. and Inv. Walton and Lt. Chip Nix of Decatur Co. S.O. had arrived at the scene to assist. Capt. Rathel and Inv. Nix had located, in plain view, parts to the stolen vehicle, along with what appeared to be a meth lab in a bag. Inv. Josey then left the residence to obtain a search warrant for the house and property. While the officerwas gone to obtain the search warrant, Josh Smith, David Cross and Amanda Odem came out of the house. Inv. Nix explained to Smith why the officerswere there. As he was explaining, David Cross grabbed the bag with the suspected meth lab and ran toward the trees behind the house. Cross threw the bag once he had reached the trees, spilling the contents into Inv. Willis' eyes. Cross was caught just inside the tree-line by Capt. Rathel and Sgt. Glover. Cross was handcuffed and placed into the back of Dep. Price's patrol car. Inv. Walton was checked by Miller County EMS technicians, and cleared on-scene. Inv. Josey arrived back on the scene, along with Capt. Willis and Sheriff H.E. "Buddy" Glass, with the search warrant. Officers entered the residence, and searched the house, took photos of all evidence and collected it. A Haz-Mat team out of Panama City, FL, arrived to clean up and check the contaminated items. Inv. Ben Nix and Lt. Chip Nix made contact with GBI agent, Nikki Rhodes of Region 15, who came and took samples of all liquids at the scene. Deputy Price transported all three suspects to the Miller County Jail. Inv. Ben Nix issued two warrants as follows; David Cross was charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of meth, possession of firearms during the commission of a crime, obstruction by fleeing, tampering with evidence, aggravated assault on a police officer,and theft by receiving stolen property. Joshua Smith was charged with manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of meth, possession of firearms during the commission of a crime, and theft by receiving stolen property. Amanda Rene Odem was charged with manufacture of a controlled substance methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance methamphetamine. Seizures have been filed on weapons, money and other items located at the scene. Decatur County officerstook possession of a maroon Ford Thunderbird located on the property with stolen parts inside the auto. The investigation is continuing, and other charges may be pending. |
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