KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports, classifieds-Man Accused of Making Meth Lab in Funeral Home

Man Accused of Making Meth Lab in Funeral Home

WALNUT RIDGE, AR (KAIT) - 43-year-old Robert Lee Lewis is accused of beginning the process of cooking meth in the basement of a Walnut Ridge funeral home.

Walnut Ridge Detective David Burnside tells us that officers noticed a light on in the basement of Higginbotham Funeral Home, which is located next door to the sheriff's department.

Region 8 News is told that Walnut Ridge police officer James Price entered through an open door and reports that he found all of the components necessary to build the meth lab. Police say the suspect showed up a short time later and was arrested.

Detective Burnside says the lab was just a few hours away from being operational.

Lewis was an employee of Higginbotham Funeral Home. The funeral service says his employment was terminated that night.

He is facing charges of possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture, possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use, manufacture of methamphetamine and possession of pseudoephederine with intent to manufacture.

The arrest was a joint venture of the Walnut Ridge Police Department and the 3rd Judicial Drug Task Force.

Lewis goes to court January 21st. He is currently out on a $2,500 bond.

The incident, which is just now coming into the public light, happened December 3rd.