The discovery of a recently-operational meth lab at a Dawson Road residence Wednesday afternoon led to two arrests, but Caldwell County Sheriff’s Department and Princeton Police Department units are focusing their attentions on the man accused of making the drug, and seeking the public’s help in finding him.
City and county officers are searching for David B. Taylor, 33, in connection with the meth lab and various other charges.
The discovery of the lab and ensuing investigation began at about 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, Sheriff Stan Hudson said Friday, after what began as a Princeton police investigation on an unrelated matter.
Princeton Chief Brian Ward and Det. Jonathan Sholar were at a residence at 17286 Dawson Road and noticed some cans of ether, a component used in making meth, in a trash pile there.
Sholar and Ward then contacted sheriff’s units.
Hudson and deputies Boyd Bates, Tony Noel, Jon Pettit and Brock Thomas responded to the scene and, after receiving consent to search the property, found several components used in manufacturing meth, as well as a surveillance system set up in the home, Hudson said.
The majority of the items were found in the residence, though some were located in a trash pile where someone had apparently attempted to burn them, the sheriff said.
Investigators also found some anhydrous ammonia, another key component of the meth-manufacturing process, in a large tank behind the house.
Two women (both occupants of the home) and nine children were at the residence when the lab was discovered.
Cindy A. Sullivan, 37, was charged with facilitation of the manufacture of methamphetamine, a class B felony, and three counts of controlled substance endangerment to a child, fourth degree, a class D felony.
The endangerment charge stems from a 2005 law making it a crime to permit a child to be present in an environment where meth is manufactured.
She was charged in connection with her three children, aged 17, 16 and 13, being at the residence.
Also arrested on the same charges was Pauline K. McManus, 37, though she faces six counts of controlled substance endangerment to a child, for having five children, aged 17, 12, 5, 3, and 1, as well as a 1-year-old grandchild, at the residence.
Both were lodged in the Caldwell County Jail, Hudson said.
Units were at the scene until midnight as the investigation unfolded.
That investigation led the sheriff’s department to pursue a warrant for Taylor, who lived at the residence, on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine (a class B felony), controlled substance endangerment to a child (nine counts) and knowingly possessing anhydrous ammonia in an improper container with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
Princeton police were already looking for Taylor on multiple charges: fleeing or evading, first degree, wanton endangerment, first degree, intimidating a witness in a legal process and disregarding a stop sign.
Charges of third-degree burglary and tampering with physical evidence are also pending.
Taylor is a white male with blue eyes, weighing approximately 230 pounds. He is believed to be driving a white 1980 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a Kentucky license plate of 641-DXW.
Taylor should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached. Anyone with information into his whereabouts can contact the sheriff’s department at 365-2088, the police department at 365-4657, or their local authorities.
