Anonymous tip leads deputies to methamphetamine lab in SK

Two South Kitsap residents were arrested on drug charges Wednesday after an anonymous caller tipped Kitsap County Sheriff’s deputies to a possible stolen vehicle and methamphetamine manufacturing operation at a home on Peterson Road.

Kenneth William Hill, 34, and Erin Melissa McCoy, 24, were booked into Kitsap County Jail Wednesday afternoon.

Hill was charged with possessing stolen property and manufacturing methamphetamine. His bail was set at $75,000.

McCoy was booked on one charge of manufacturing methamphetamine and held under $50,000 bail.

According to the sheriff’s incident report, deputies arrived at Hill’s residence on the 5000 block of Peterson Road S.E. and quickly followed footprints in the snow that led to a large shed in the backyard.

The deputies recognized the strong chemical smell coming from the shed as that associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine, and nearby discovered a heavy equipment vehicle that was reported stolen.

The deputies then contacted WestNET officers and requested a warrant to search the property by the time Hill arrived on scene.

After being read his rights, Hill told the deputies that he borrowed the tractor and did not know it was stolen.

He went on to say he did not know anything about the odor emanating from the shed and denied there had been any illegal activity or items in it.

Shortly after Hill’s arrival a search warrant was obtained and deputies found what appeared to be drug manufacturing items in the shed, along with a handgun, a baggie of what appeared to be marijuana and other drug paraphernalia inside the residence.

Deputies also found illegal items in the bedroom used by McCoy, Hill’s roommate.

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