Meth-related charges filed against four



Four people were arrested by the Cannon County Sheriff's Department on meth-related charges following a raid on Fisher Lane.

Taken into custody were David Jasson Bynum, Gary Wayne Prater, Angela Mechelle Prater and Michael Lee Prater.

Bynum and Gary Wayne Prater were charged with initiation of the process to manufacture meth, maintaining a dwelling, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony and violation of an order of protection.

Both Michael Lee Prater and Angela Mechelle Prater were charged with initiation to process meth.

When authorities arrived Bynum and several other people were standing outside the home.

"All subjects were ordered to come out with their hands up. The female then went back into the residence and then came back out," reported Investigator Brandon Gullett.

A search warrant was served on Bynum and Gullett and Deputy Jimmy Hayes entered the residence to begin the search.

"I observed in the kitchen of the residence a black box sitting on the counter that contained an aerator, clear baggies, straws, a grinder with white residue in it, lithium batteries, clear baggie with ammonia nitrate inside, a tooth brush, plastic tubing and several cupcake holders," Gullett said.

An orange funnel was discovered sitting inside a glass jar both having a white substance on them. Other materials used to manufacture meth were also discovered in the kitchen area.

A loaded Ruger 9-mm pistol was discovered in a black holster in the living room with a spare, loaded magazine.

Gullett said the pistol was located next to a blue money bag that contained a set of digital scales. Also located in the living room was a Uniden police scanner set to the sheriff's frequency.

Continuing the search outside the home, Gullett noticed a section of clear plastic tubing sticking out from the front porch.

That tubing was connected to a second tube which was sitting inside a green 20oz soft drink bottle that was apparently being used as an HCL generator.

An additional one-pot meth lab was found on the underside of the house, the investigator said.

Gullett, Deputy Jordan McGee and Sheriff Darrell Young then searched the vehicles parked at the house. In a Chevrolet pickup truck, a set of locksmith tools was discovered.

The four suspects were transported to the Cannon County Jail following the raid. A hearing is set for June 4 in General Sessions Court.