Meth Lab Discovered in Middleport

Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood reports the discovery of a meth lab and subsequent arrest of three individuals on Saturday evening at 28885 State Route 7 residence near Middleport. Officers responded to a home owned by Tony Chapell. Information was provided that a suspect wanted for questioning by deputies for breaking and entering had been dropped off at the Chapell house.

After arrival to the Chapell residence and an attempt to locate the B&E suspect, the deputies discovered the cultivation of marijuana. The officers had a failed attempt to receive a response from the residence. It was determined that probable cause was sufficient to request a search warrant.

After the warrant was issued to the Gallia-Meigs Drug Task Force the sheriff along with deputies and Middleport Police Department executed the search warrant and discovered that two males and one female were inside the home. Sheriff Wood said that Tony Chapell – age 51, Stephanie Lyons – age 33 and Michael Napper – age 31 were taken into custody. One suspect advised the sheriff that an active meth lab was in the room. Everyone was removed from the trailer as a safety measure. The technicians discovered a one-pot method of cooking methamphetamine which included locating two gas generators with tubing.

Suspects were charged with Manufacturing of Methamphetamine, Drug Possession and the Illegal Assembly of Chemicals. Napper is also wanted out of Vinton County for the same charges and is currently facing charges in Meigs County for Endangering Children and Possession of Drugs from a 2013 case. He was recently indicted in Meigs County on another Methamphetamine related charge.

The suspects are currently at Meigs County and Middleport holding facilities until they appear before a judge next week to answer to charges. The sheriff would like to thank the Middleport Police and Fire Department for their assistance.

The original suspect wanted for questioning by deputies for breaking and entering was not at the home.