John & Judy Crepps

Meth lab is raided in Laurel Springs

A task force of State Bureau of Investigations officers and an entry team and the Alleghany County and Ashe County sheriff's departments raided a suspected methamphetamine laboratory in the Laurel Springs community last Thursday.

Arrested after a search of their home on June 3 were John and Judy Crepps of New Hope Church Road in Laurel Springs.

According to warrants filed by Deputy Tim Duncan, 44-year-old John Claude Crepps and 42-year-old Judith Shepherd Crepps were both charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or deliver, possession of marijuana with intent to sell or deliver and maintaining a dwelling to keep and sell methamphetamine. He was also charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, felony possession of methamphetamine and manufacturing methamphetamine.

According to the warrants, the two had necessary chemicals and equipment for making methamphetamine in their home, but were not in the process of making it when they were arrested.

Duncan said the materials and chemicals were broken down and placed in different areas of the house.

"The chemicals alone can be bought at a local hardware store," said Duncan. "When they go to cooking these chemicals, that's where the danger comes in. The mixed chemicals can cause an explosion or produce a deadly gas."

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