The Middletown Division of Police Special Operations Unit and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation executed a search warrant at 1601 Church Ave. after complaints of ongoing drug activity at the residence.
Detective Larry Fultz said it was believed methamphetamine was being produced and sold there. Police have been investigating activities in the home since November, he said.
While Fultz could not give a more detailed description of the items allegedly found at the home, he said the police collected paraphernalia commonly used to produce meth as well as 6.5 grams of a substance believed to be the drug. The items have been sent to the Miami Valley crime lab in Dayton for testing, and Fultz said he expected the results in the next three weeks.
As a result of the bust, Lakes was charged with permitting drug abuse. She has been released from the Middletown City Jail after posting a $5,000 bond. Corey Johnson was charged with drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. He also has been released from the city jail after posting an $8,000 bond. Contessa Johnson was charged with drug abuse and possession of drug paraphernalia. She is being held in lieu of a $13,000 bond in the city jail.
All three defendants are scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 28 in Middletown Municipal Court.
During the course of the investigation, another person in the home, Chris Johnson, 45, was found to have a warrant through Preble County and was turned over to the Preble County Sheriff’s Office.
The case is still under investigation and Fultz said he expects more charges to be filed in the case.
Fultz said complaints by neighbors often help point police “in the right direction” in terms of investigating possible meth labs. A new cataloging system with area pharmacies also is helping police by tracking the sales of over-the-counter decongestants commonly used to make methamphetamine.
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