Published: June 10, 2009 08:36 am      

Keavy meth maker arrested second time

Times-Tribune Staff Report

Byron Baker, 27, was arrested for the second time this year on charges that he was making methamphetamine this past Thursday.

A report from the Laurel County Sheriff says Deputy Sgt. Greg Poynter and deputies Jason Back and Joey Vicini went to Baker’s home on Lipscomb Road at Keavy to arrest Baker.

The arrest, Sheriff Fred Yaden said, was on a warrant charging Baker with theft over $300.

Upon arrival, Yaden said, the deputies took Baker into custody and in the process, noticed a strong chemical odor.

Upon investigation, the deputies first found a by-product of methamphetamine production.

Yaden said Baker made some sort of statement that caused the deputies to think there might be or recently had been a methamphetamine lab in the home.

After getting a search warrant, the deputies found a glass jar containing a coffee filter and a clear liquid believed to be methamphetamine oil.

The oil is the final form of methamphetamine just before its manufacture is completed, Yaden said.

Numerous empty match books were found, Yaden said, which indicated the laboratory was what is called a red phosphorous lab. Several empty cans of Coleman camp fuel were found along with acetone and other chemicals.

Laurel Public Safety Division personnel Zach Bryson, Chance McPeek and Brandon Wagers cleaned up what was left of the lab.