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November 21, 2012

Methamphetamine lab sparks charges for three from area

By JOSH NEWTON Staff Writer

HULBERT — Three people have been charged in connection with a methamphetamine lab discovered by members of the District 27 Drug Task Force last month.

Joseph Harold Bunch, 38, of Stilwell, is facing charges of possessing a controlled dangerous substance; and Karin Michelle Jones, 36, and Ray D. Ketcher, 62, both of Tahlequah, are accused of endeavoring to manufacture methamphetamine.

Investigators with the D27 Drug Task Force team, the U.S. Marshal Service, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and Tahlequah Police Department went to a home on Callie Street in late October to look for a fugitive. While at the home, officers observed some white, powdery substances and drug paraphernalia.

They then asked for and were granted a search warrant and found chemicals and equipment they believed to be associated with the manufacture of a red phosphorus meth lab.

Ketcher and Bunch were both given $20,000 bonds, while Jones was given a $75,000 bond. Bunch pleaded not guilty and is set for a felony sounding docket in late January. Jones pleaded not guilty and was ordered back to court on Dec. 3, and Ketcher was ordered back to court on Dec. 11.

Court records show Jones was charged last June with endeavoring to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance/possession of material with the intent to manufacture. She was charged last March with second-degree burglary and possession of a controlled dangerous substance.

Neither Bunch nor Ketcher have previous felony charges out of Cherokee County, according to a check of court records.

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