On July 8th, 2010, acting from a tip from the public, Sgt Chris Hayes, of the Stone County Sheriffs Office, went to 413 W. 4th Street, unit 2, a residence located in Galena, in reference to a possible marijuana plant located beside the front porch. When Sgt Hayes walked to the front porch of the residence he did locate a marijuana plant. He knocked on the door and a male answered it, but he was not the legal resident at the residence. Sgt Hayes then applied for a search warrant to seize the plant and to search the residence.

Upon execution of the search warrant, ingredients to manufacture methamphetamine, paraphernalia used to create methamphetamine and marijuana were located inside the residence.

The male who lived there, Michael Smith, 23 yrs old, was currently incarcerated at the jail on unrelated charges. The male who answered the door, 31 yr old Chester Harris from Galena, was arrested and taken to the Stone County Jail for charges.

On July 9th, Prosecuting Attorney Matt Selby charged both Michael Smith and Chester Harris with the following charges:

Class D Felony Possession of Methamphetamine Producing Paraphernalia

Class C Felony Creation of Controlled Substance

They both remain incarcerated in the Stone County Jail on $25,000.00 cash only bond.

Richard L. Hill, Sheriff
Stone County