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Last updated on Thursday, March 20, 2014
(KNOX CO.) - Three people were arrested early Tuesday morning following the execution of a search warrant by Knox County deputies which led to the discovery of methamphetamine materials, and two ‘destructive explosive devices’.
According to documents from the Knox County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a home in Decker around 7:30 p.m. Monday night, after receiving information from the Vincennes police department regarding stolen property.
WTHI reports, when deputies arrived on scene, documents say, they asked to search the home of Amber Nunley, 25, of Decker. Decker declined the search, which led to deputies filing for a search warrant.
"When deputies arrived on the scene, the female refused to cooperate with them, to which they did recover the stolen items, and in doing so, they observed items commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine," said Knox County Sheriff Mike Morris.
The police presence, according to deputies, forced two men into an attempt to get away from the situation. "One individual fled the scene, he was shortly apprehended a few blocks from the residence ... upon executing the search warrant, there was a gentlemen found hiding under some mattresses in the bedroom," he added.
Those men were later identified as Wesley Pride Sr, 33, of Lawrenceville, Illinois and Christopher Smith, 27, of Lawrenceville, Illinois.
Deputies detained all three suspects, and continued their search of the home. The search revealed 'several active meth labs, finished methamphetamine product, several items of drug paraphernalia, and two incendiary devices," said the press release.
The devices quickly changed the dynamic of the investigation, noted Sheriff Morris: "It's a dramatic change in your mind set that you know, here is an explosive device that could basically detonate and eliminate the house and anybody else within the house, or around it, in one explosion," said Morris.
Deputies called in assistance from The Indiana State Police Explosive Ordinance Device team, which detonated one of the devices safely at the scene.
"Upon the detonation we were advised that it was a fairly strong home made device that would cause severe damage to limbs and of course body parts," added the Sheriff.
The Indiana State Police Clandestine Lab Team was also activated to clean up the active meth labs and scrub the area for chemicals associated with the manufacture of meth.
The teams finished up at the scene around 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, leaving them at the site for around twelve hours.
"We may pursue federal charges against these people," Morris said.
Christopher Smith faces charges for having destructive devices and manufacturing methamphetamine.
Amber Nunley faces charges for having destructive devices, manufacturing methamphetamine, and maintaining a common nuisance.
Wesley Pride Sr. faces for having destructive devices, manufacturing methamphetamine, and public intoxication.
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