James Wesley Ragsdale, 48, and Kendra Sanders, 23, are facing various drug-related charges.
According to Sallisaw police, officers went to the home on a child welfare check. When officers arrived at the home, they reportedly smelled a strong and overwhelming odor commonly associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Police reported that Ragsdale immediately began cursing at police for them to get off his property. Police told Ragsdale that they would leave, but it would be after they checked on the child. At that time, Sanders came to the door holding a small infant in her arms, and police explained why they were there. Ragsdale allegedly became belligerent and told Sanders to shut her mouth and get back inside the home. Ragsdale allegedly moved toward the front door of the home, pushing the officer out of the way. At that time, Ragsdale was taken into custody for interfering with the duties of a police officer and assault on an officer.
When Sanders stepped out of the house, police reported that there was a strong odor coming from the home. The child was taken into protective custody and taken to Sequoyah Memorial Hospital in Sallisaw, and child welfare was notified of the situation.
Police then secured a search warrant for the home. It took less than five minutes for certified clandestine lab police officers to confirm that there was a working lab in the home. Police reported that there was a working lab in the kitchen of the home and there was a lab in a locked bedroom, as well as drug-related material in a garage.
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation sent two lab technicians to help recover evidence and process the scene, and Sallisaw Police Chief Shaloa Edwards also dispatched more personnel to assist. The Drug Enforcement Administration deployed a hazardous material team from Idabell, who arrived at midnight Friday.
Police found various drug-related items in the home.
"In each room there was a process of manufacturing in the working stage," police reported.
Sallisaw Police department officials participating in the investigation include Detective Sgt. Larry Blount, Capt. David Bethany, Cpl. Jeff Murray, Lt. Beau Gabbert, Amy Nelson, and Officers Herb Hutchinson and Billy Oliver. Sallisaw firefighters were also on the scene.
