MONTICELLO – Two men were arrested February 26 after an active methamphetamine lab was discovered at a western Wayne County residence.
Operation UNITE charged 33-year-old Troy E. Paige of Raines Road, Monticello, and 43-year-old Jimmy Rednour of Route 3, Albany, with one count each of manufacturing methamphetamine and controlled substance endangerment to a child.
Late Friday morning the Monticello Police Department received information that the two men were in the process of cooking meth and that one of the individuals may have outstanding arrest warrants.
Law enforcement officers from UNITE, the Monticello Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office went to investigate the tip about 11:30 a.m.
When officers arrived at the home on Raines Road, located off KY 1009, they spotted Rednour outside. As they were questioning Rednour the homeowner arrived and granted permission to search the house.
During the search officers discovered an active one-step lab, various items used in conjunction with manufacturing meth, and a small quantity of material believed to be methamphetamine. They also discovered evidence that children were staying in the house, although none were present at the time.
At the time of the search Paige was not at the residence, apparently having fled when officers arrived.
UNITE detectives required several hours to neutralize and clean up the scene.
As officers were preparing to leave Paige emerged from the nearby woods and surrendered himself to authorities.
In addition to UNITE charges, Paige was arrested by the Monticello Police Department on two outstanding bench warrants.
Both men were lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.
UNITE Law Enforcement Director Dan Smoot said the home’s owner apparently had no idea what was going on and would probably not be charged.