KY Pair Arrested On Meth Charges In Oneida

Oneida, TN (2011-07-13) What began as a shoplifting investigation ultimately resulted in the arrest of a Kentucky duo on drug related charges.

Johnnie L. Sweet, 36, and Wiley J. Bell, 30, both of Monticello, KY were booked on a host of drug-related charges following a July 9, 2011 investigation by the Oneida Police Department into suspicious activity at a local pharmacy.

According to an arrest warrants filed by Patrolman Blake Murphy and Michael Blaker of the Oneida Police Department, store employees observed Sweet and Bell acting suspicious inside Walgreens of Oneida. Believing the pair might be attempting to steal merchandise, employees contact the Oneida Police Department. When Officers Murphy and Blaker arrived, both suspects were reportedly still in the store; however, the pair quickly left.

After leaving the store, the duo reportedly went to the Oneida Wal-Mart SuperCenter. Once inside, loss prevention employee reportedly caught Sweet removing merchandise allegedly stolen from Walgreens from its packaging and hiding it on his person. Sweet allegedly hide the packaging behind other merchandise inside the store.

When the pair left the building, Officers Murphy and Blaker confronted the pair about the theft. The pair was allegedly in possession of lithium batteries, items allegedly stolen from Walgreens. A subsequent search of the suspects’ vehicle allegedly uncovered a number of precursors to the manufacture of methamphetamine, including pseudoephedrine, starter fluid, and drain cleaner. Officers also allegedly found methamphetamine, marijuana, marijuana seeds, a .38 caliber handgun and drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle.

Bell also reportedly had a vile on his person containing Xanax and a half of a Valium.

Sweet was charged with promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of a schedule II controlled substance (meth), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal conspiracy, and shoplifting under $500.

Bell was booked for promoting the manufacture of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, criminal conspiracy, possession of a schedule IV controlled substance (three counts) and shoplifting of less than $500.