Crime & Safety
Four Indicted from Elkridge Meth Lab Bust
The state dropped charges against fifth party involved.
Four men were indicted Tuesday by a Howard County Grand Jury on charges stemming from the room last month, according to the state’s attorney’s office.
Howard County police said they found drugs and a handgun at the on June 4, when responding to a report of suspicious activity.
Law enforcement arrested five men after locating chemicals in the room. Fire officials said they secured the scene and evacuated the hotel, which was considered potentially dangerous because of the hazardous materials involved.
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Of the five men arrested, four were indicted on July 3, according to the state’s attorney’s office for Howard County.
Amos Joel Martin and Josiah David Martin—both of Mesick, MI—and Forrest Derrick Rhoades and Joshua W. Matthews—both of Sallisaw, OK—were all indicted on the following eight charges: manufacturing a controlled and dangerous substance, intending to distribute it, working with others to manufacture it, possessing equipment for producing drugs, possession of a dangerous substance other than marijuana, reckless endangerment and drug/gun trafficking.
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A fifth man arrested in connection with the incident, Spencer Allen Smith, of Lock Haven, PA, was not indicted, according to officials.
Matthews and the Martins have preliminary hearings scheduled for July 6. A hearing has not yet been scheduled for Rhoades, according to online court records.
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