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Unnamed tipster leads investigators to suspected meth lab in Le Roy

By Howard B. Owens

About two months ago, local law enforcement received a tip from an unnamed informant that methamphetamine was being manufactured and sold out of a home in Le Roy.

This morning at 6:15 the officers from Le Roy, Genesee County, State Police and the DEA raided a home at 28 Clay St. and arrested five people.

"It took some time to develop probable cause for a search warrant," Sheriff Gary Maha said at a press conference this morning.

The five people arrested at the house have not been formerly charged yet. They will be arraigned later today in Le Roy Town Court.

Taken into custody were:

  • Kari L. Riggi, 21, of 28 Clay St.
  • Koree R. Stephenson, 22, 14 St. Marks St., Le Roy
  • Christopher J. Elmore, 31, 14 St. Marks St.
  • Nathan D. Bernard, 21, 28 Clay St.
  • Joshua A. Miller, 20, 51 Myrtle St.

Maha described the lab found in the house as a working meth lab and that it was larger than the one allegedly found in Alabama last month.

"That was a little bit of a surprise to us," Maha said. "We didn’t expect it to be as large, so that’s why it will take a little bit more time for clean up."

Agents will be on scene all day, he said, and a clean-up crew that specializes in this sort of hazardous material clean up for law enforcement will arrive from Pennsylvania this afternoon.

The alleged lab was located in the attic and, according to Maha, there was also a quantity of finished product in the house.

Le Roy Chief Chris Hayward said his department believes some of the meth was being distributed in Le Roy, but some of it may have been going into other communities as well. He said where it was being distributed is unclear at this time.

Hayward said this is the first known meth lab found in the Village.

"Over the last 18 or 24 months I've been on public record as saying we have a growing problem in this community and we've been taking steps to address it," Hayward said. "If nothing else, this demonstrates to the community that there is a problem here that we need to address."

Hayward said he believes three of the five individuals grew up in Le Roy and another has lived in the Village for a decade or so. Police have also responded to 28 Clay on calls unrelated to the suspected meth labe, Hayward said.

The Drug Enforcement Agency also participated in the investigation, but has not yet decided whether to file federal charges against the suspects. In the Alabama/Batavia case, the three individuals arrested were immediately arraigned on federal charges, which carry stiffer penalties. Maha said then that the DEA was brought in to send a clear message that meth manufacturing won't be tolerated in Genesee County.

bud prevost

I hope that is the end of it, but my fear is that it is nowhere near over. I know one of these kids, and it has to be killing her family.
Bill, I will concur that Leroy has always had a reputation for access to street drugs. But the difference is in the 70's and 80's, it was mainly pot, with a dash of acid and coke. Now, it's heroin and meth.
Thanks to the police who took this thing down.

Dec 10, 2009, 3:34pm Permalink
Tom Frew

They should go to jail, no opportunity for parole and let's get on with a court proceeding. An example needs to be made everytime this occurs.

Dec 10, 2009, 6:50pm Permalink
Sean Valdes

One of the people listed in the story has worked for us for a few months. He seemed like a very nice kid, hard working, conscientious - he did a very good job. I'm absolutely shocked. He's told stories of a little baby living with them - I feel horrible if that infant was exposed to this toxic stuff. My hope is he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I doubt that will be the case. I agree with Tom 100% - we need to make sure we set a strict precedent for people bringing these things into our community.

Dec 10, 2009, 7:08pm Permalink
Elizabeth Harris

Hello folks, New too this site. I would have to say drugs are everywhere these days. Wyoming Country is one big POT FARM...unfortunately for me, I found out too late.My X is and still is dealing...and the Government of Wyoming slaps his hand and tells him "never too do again".

Pot is mild compared to the Meth Labs & Wyoming has them also...

Dec 10, 2009, 10:10pm Permalink
Laura Russell Ricci

This is a very sinful site. Posted by Denise Montgomery on December 11, 2009 - 9:42am

I don't know but this sounds judgmental to me...

Dec 11, 2009, 9:55am Permalink
Laura Russell Ricci

you're right...you said the whole site was sinful. oh and here's another non judgmental thing you said: Those people must not believe in the American way because those people on this gossip site judge right away!

however you want to defend your judgmental beliefs is ok with me...I just don't like hypocrisy.

Dec 11, 2009, 10:08am Permalink
bud prevost

Denise- meth is insidious stuff, that's all I have to say. Glad that this place was busted. This poison was made, and ready to be sold for a profit. I also express to each of them, as I have to you, the hope that they can turn things around.

Dec 11, 2009, 10:36am Permalink
Beth Kinsley

I know the parents of at least 2 of these kids. They must be devastated. I don't think there is an easy answer here but, like Bud, I hope that they can all turn things around. Howard - are you sure there were no children living there? I know that one of the residents has a young child.

Dec 11, 2009, 12:50pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Beth, Sheriff Maha said specifically there were no children in the home.

Denise, you wrote "I know you didn't say my name; but what was the 'reminds me, no guns either'. I didn't see any mention of guns at all prior to that."

Then you must not have read any of the coverage about the suspected meth lab found in Alabama. Lots of mention of guns out there. And children. And the fact that the law has specific enhancements for guns and children.

You dragged yourself into this case. I didn't.

Be as legalistic as you like quoting the Bible like a Pharisee, but you're remarks are certainly judgmental and condemning of myself and the people who participate in the site.

You also cannot factually support your accusation that I "seem so quick to believe everything the law officials say." Prove it. You don't know what I believe or don't believe, and there is nothing in my reporting of your case, the Alabama case or this current case that could reasonably lead you to prove that I believe or don't believe anything.

Dec 11, 2009, 12:42pm Permalink
Beth Kinsley

Howard - I wonder if that just means that there were no children present at the time or none were living there. Regardless, thank God there were none there when the search warrant was executed.

Dec 11, 2009, 12:50pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Beth, probably from a law enforcement perspective (I'm going out on a limb with a guess here) there was no evidence of children living in the residence during the period of alleged production.

Dec 11, 2009, 12:53pm Permalink
scott williams

denise,the people that know and love us understand we all hit bumps, or hell even potholes in the road of life..smooth them out as soon as you can and get back on the road, hopefully better prepaired for the next bumps.And remember this, where ever you go there will be judgemental people, we all make mistakes its easy to forget that when its the other person.We as humans are all guilty of casting doubt and judgement so remember that,its not just this site or the people in this towne that are quick to cast opinions its human nature,and remember you do not need to explain yourself here.And Howard Owens anyone reading all of this knows exactly what you meant!And isnt this the season for forgiving.Now come children lets all play nice,MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Dec 11, 2009, 1:56pm Permalink
Ron Wright

I'm just waiting for these suspects to log on and comment on their own pending case like those in the other meth case in Alabama and Batavia... Posting and discussing a serious pending drug charge against you online is completely unwise and unnecessary - just like smoking meth... you won't change anyone's mind.

Dec 11, 2009, 4:16pm Permalink
bud prevost

Dustin and Denise- word on the street is the feds are taking this over. That should make you feel vindicated, right? I've heard alot of talk about prison times, people that may be involved in BOTH cases...if there are anymore labs operating out there, hopefully they are found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!

Dec 13, 2009, 12:00pm Permalink

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