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Sheriff awaiting warrant to seize meth lab found at house on Jackson Street

By Billie Owens

A small methamphetamine lab was allegedly discovered at 135 Jackson St. in Batavia earlier today when law officers went there looking for Kenneth W. Mosholder, whose home in Alabama was the target of a 6 a.m. drug bust.

He was arrested on federal drug charges at the Jackson Street house and so was a female acquaintance who lived there. Her name has not been released because Sheriff Gary Maha is awaiting a federal search warrant from Buffalo in order to seize the lab and press charges.

A Batavia police officer is staked outside the residence to keep the scene secure until the warrant can be exercised.

When Mosholder's dumpy place at 789 Lewiston Road in Alabama was raided, 20-year-old Dustin R. Benham of Darien was arrested. Both men are charged with conspiracy to manufacture meth.

A haz mat team has been on location cleaning up the toxic mess as investigators gathered evidence, including chemicals, paraphenalia and guns.

Mosholder's 17-year-old son was also found there and taken to social services for placement.

Other charges may be pending against Mosholder and Benham, who have been transported to Buffalo for arraignment in federal court. The investigation is ongoing as to whether other individuals were involved in the illegal drug operation.

Howard B. Owens

I just came from there -- I'll have a post up after dinner. Also, the name of the woman who lived there and is allegedly involved.

Nov 12, 2009, 6:46pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Denise, I did nothing but try to help your father.

First, I was on a public sidewalk and legally had every right to be there. I never set foot on your property. If I had, I would have been arrested.

When your father came up to me, he started talking to me like I was a cop. I immediately identified myself as a reporter, which he acknowledged with, "Oh, you're a reporter." He then repeated to me, after I had already identified myself as a reporter, "This is my daughter's house and I have her son with me." I said, "Let me see if I can get somebody to help you." He just started barging toward the house, which I was afraid the cops would not like -- I was concerned for his own safety and whether he would get arrested for entering a crime scene without authorization. I said, "Sir, wait, let me see if I can get you some help," but he just continued on.

Fortunately, the law enforcement officials on scene where very helpful and understanding and assisted him rather than stonewalling him.

But the statements that I "interfered" or gave him a hard time or that I told him he couldn't go to the house are absolutely and 100 percent not true.

I tormented no one. I only offered to help him.

If my conduct at the house had been inappropriate, I would have been told to leave or even arrested, rather than getting the full cooperation of both the officials from the Sheriff's Office and the DEA, which I got.

Nov 20, 2009, 12:11am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Denise, I'm not saying your dad made up anything. I'm sure he remembers it the way he remembers it. And that is his reality. I know it was a very stressful thing for him -- I could see the stress in his face -- in hindsight, I'm sure the last thing he wanted to deal with was some nosy reporter, no matter how well intentioned that jerk was. I'm comfortable with your dad having his version of the truth, if you're comfortable with me having mine. Honestly, I meant your father no ill will and if he took it that way, please let him know I was not trying to hinder him in anyway.

Nov 20, 2009, 2:53pm Permalink

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