Two Franklin County Residents Charged in Federal Meth Indictment

Authorities said a Franklin County man, who allegedly cooked methamphetamine in the home where his parents lived, and a woman have been charged in a federal indictment.

The federal grand jury has handed up felony indictments charging Kenneth M. York, 40, and Lisa R. Uelsmann Hoeft, 34, both of the Union area, with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine and felony possession of pseudoephedrine for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

The charges stem from incidents that occurred in Franklin County between January 2007 and September 2010, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

A detective with the Franklin County Narcotics Enforcement Unit, which investigated the case, said both York and Hoeft were arrested last week on the indictments.

When York was arrested at a home off College Road, investigators found precursor chemicals and other meth lab components, according to Detective Darryl Balleydier of the unit.

The unit first arrested the two suspects in July 2010 after obtaining information that led officers to the College Road residence.

When they went to the home, detectives noticed nine “one-pot” meth labs in the rear yard. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found 27 additional shake and bake labs in the lower level of the split foyer residence along with other chemicals used to produce meth.

Authorities said York’s elderly parents were living in the upstairs area of the home and were exposed to toxic vapors released during the meth-making process.

Balleydier said when officers went back to the home in August 2010 they found additional meth-related items.

Investigators then began checking pharmacy pill logs and found that the two allegedly had continued purchasing more than the legal limits of allergy and cold pills containing pseudoephedrine, the vital ingredient needed to make meth.

Each felony count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and/or fines of up to $250,000.

A judge will consider U.S. sentencing guidelines in determining the actual sentences. Charges set forth in an indictment are accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt, the U.S. attorney’s office said.