Two arrested in Stoddard County meth lab bust

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- According to Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner, two individuals were arrested for the manufacture of methamphetamine, the Daily Statesman newspaper reported.

On Wednesday, deputies with the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department, along with the SEMO Drug Task Force and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, executed a search warrant at the residence of Bryan King in the Essex area.

Keith Haynes, who serves as both sheriff's deputy and SEMO Drug Task Force officer, said the investigation has been ongoing for several months.

As a result of the search, deputies found inside the residence what they believed to be an active methamphetamine lab along with a quantity of methamphetamine, various drug paraphernalia and a semi-automatic pistol in the room with the drugs.

An infant child was found inside the house where the methamphetamine was allegedly being processed. The child was removed from the house and will be placed into protective custody.

Bryan E. King, 39, of Essex, is charged with the Class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child, Class C felony of possession of methamphetamine, Class A misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia and the Class B felony of manufacture of methamphetamine.

Christen N. Tilley, 34, of Dexter, is charged with the Class C felony of endangering the welfare of a child, Class C felony of possession of methamphetamine and the Class A misdemeanor of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Both subjects were being held Friday morning at the Stoddard County Jail on $50,000 cash-only bonds.

Tilley and King will appear for preliminary hearings on Feb. 25.

Hefner added that more arrests are anticipated as a result of the investigation.