Meth lab discovered in backyard shed

UMATILLA - Marion County sheriff’s deputies trying to serve an arrest warrant Monday ended up discovering a methamphetamine lab and arresting five suspects on drug charges.

Deputies went to 28098 Southeast County Road 42 to serve a warrant on a woman on charges of trespassing after warning and failure to pay child support. She wasn’t at the home, but what they did see was two people running from a shed in the backyard and two more coming out of the shed and locking it. After smelling a strong odor of ammonia and ether, Multi Agency Drug Enforcement Team agents and High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) agents obtained a search warrant.

Agents found approximately 428 grams of ephedrine along with other paraphernalia. Five suspects were arrested; however, two of the five were transported to Munroe Regional Medical Center after complaining of chest pain.

Those who were arrested were: Sean Murphy, 25, Altoona, drug sale/manufacture; Joseph Evans, 37, Orlando, drug sale/manufacture; William Penley Jr., 28, Umatilla, drug sale/manufacture; Karen Aultman, 40, Summerfield, possession of precursor; and Angela Peasley, 34, Umatilla, possession of precursor.