Deputies Find Meth Lab, Newborn, And Military-Grade Explosive Device

October 3, 2011 at 2:37 pm by kniption  

Joppa, AL — Saturday night, authorities visited a home around 7PM to investigate a man on top of the roof. When they arrived, several individuals reportedly ran from the residence. As most cops will tell you, this is never a good sign…

Morgan County Sheriff Ana Franklin said that deputies in a foot chase with those who scattered soon apprehended Melisa Brown Sullivan, 45, who had been running with an active red phosphorus meth lab inside her backpack – along with a handgun.

“The red phosphorus method is highly volatile and can kill people if it explodes,” Sheriff Franklin said.

While those fleeing were being apprehended, the Morgan County Drug Task Force agents inspected the home along with Morgan County Sheriff’s police. Inside they found: components of a meth lab; marijuana plants; Sullivan’s daughter, Anna Sullivan, 21; Sullivan’s 5-week-old grandchild; …and a 40lb. military-grade explosive device.

“The bomb technician on the scene said the bomb could have leveled the house and killed anyone within 300 feet of it,” Franklin said. “We’re investigating how a bomb like that got there.”

Deputies who were part of the foot chase apprehended Sullivan’s son Mark Sullivan, 18, and Gregory Pannell, 46. Kerry Dale “Shorty” Humphries (right), who also lives at the home, originally got away but was later apprehended. He looks to be a charmer… 

“I’ve busted [Humphries] for making meth with red phosphorus method back in 2005 on Hiatt Bottom Road, and he threw chemicals at one of our agents when we came in,” Franklin said.

The baby was taken to a local hospital for evaluation. After it was established that she was in okay shape, the baby was reportedly turned over to the Alabama Department of Human Resources. The Alabama DHR has launched an investigation into possible child neglect.

It was reported that Sheriff Franklin stopped at several stores to try to buy formula and newborn diapers for the baby on the way to the scene.

“A clerk at Cotaco Grocery opened the store for me even though it had just closed and called her sister who had just had a baby shower,” Franklin said. “Her sister was nice enough to … bring some of the diapers she had just received at the party.”

This wonderful crew was booked into the Morgan County Jail on the following charges: Melisa Sullivan – first-degree manufacture of a controlled substance, chemical endangerment of a child and resisting arrest; Anna Sullivan – first-degree manufacture of a controlled substance, chemical endangerment of a child and first-degree possession of marijuana; Mark Sullivan – first-degree manufacture of a controlled substance, first-degree possession of marijuana, second-degree possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; Gregory Pannell – first-degree manufacture of a controlled substance and first-degree possession of marijuana. All four remained in jail Sunday with bail for the manufacturing charges set at $1 million each. Bail for the other charges had not been set yet. Humphries’ charges have not yet been released. Humphries is reportedly being held in Morgan County Jail without bond.  It was reported that more people are being sought.

Franklin said the red phosphorus meth lab found Saturday night was the first active one Morgan authorities have come across in years. She said that a few abandoned ones have been found in recent months and that this is a cause of concern.

“We’ve gotten word that some of the old cookers we put in jail a while back are getting out and going back to making meth with this method,” Franklin said. “We’re in trouble as a county if this type of meth manufacturing comes back because it’s so deadly.”

Check out the video to hear Franklin. She kicks ass.

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