Liberty couple faces drug charges

A Liberty couple was charged with multiple drug charges following an investigation by the Cannon County Sheriff's Department.

Arrested were Jodie Wade Taylor and Crystal Gail Taylor. The couple lives in a trailer on East Circle Drive in Liberty. They were charged with initiating the process to manufacture methamphetamine, maintaining a dwelling and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Taylors' bonds were set at $126,000 each. A court date is set for Sept. 1 in General Sessions Court.

Making the arrests were Investigators Chris Brown and Brandon Gullett and Sheriff Darrell Young.

"We spoke with Crystal Gail Taylor, one of the residents of the mobile home and the only one there at the time," Investigator Brown reported. "We advised her that someone had called and said that they may be cooking methamphetamine at the residence and asked for permission to search."

Mrs. Taylor denied the meth allegation but gave the officers permission to look around outside the house.

Officers quickly spotted a fire pit on the right side of the driveway that was still smoldering.

"Investigator Gullett took a look and immediately noticed empty blister packs and batteries that had been cut in half on the edge of the fire," Brown said.
A search warrant was then obtained by Brown for the trailer and a nearby home, 144 Martin Drive, owned by Taylor.

"Upon entry to the mobile home at 41 East Circle Drive there was a strong chemical odor. Three one-pot meth labs were found in the closed on the top shelf," Brown said.

Various other meth-making ingredients were discovered as well including muriatic acid, Coleman fuel, cold packs, lithium batteries and coffee filters, he said.

Officers then went to the nearby home on Martin Drive and more evidence was discovered.
"The Taylors advised that they have used that residence before to cook. The house is unoccupied and abandoned, although Jodie Taylor does still own the property," Brown said.

"Both properties were quarantined due to the high exposure of toxic chemicals used in the process of manufacturing methamphetamine. Finished product was not found at either residence," he said.

Officers also contacted the Department of Childrens Services due to the fact that Taylor's children stay there when his custody arrangements allow.
"His two children ... share a single bedroom in the center of the trailer with a single mattress on the floor. Multiple pictures of the children were in the room, as well as clothing and toys," Brown reported.

Taylor's children were not present at the time of the search.