Sheriff Darren Campbell stated that Deputies with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office ACE Team was requested by North Carolina Probation/Parole Officers to assist them in a search of a residence at 104 Deep Water Road Statesville the home of Kenneth Hugh Gobble Jr. Deputies were told that Gobble was on probation for Driving While License Revoked and he was sentenced to one year of probation on October 12th, 2015.
Once on scene Deputies and Probation Officers located Gobble who was asked about the strong chemical odor on his property and he admitted that he was cooking Methamphetamine in an outbuilding on the property and he had just released some of the pressure from the bottle he was using. At this time Deputies and Probation Officers secured the home and contacted the local fire department and the North Carolina Bureau of Investigations (SBI) to respond to assist in cleaning up the Clandestine Laboratory.
Once all Agencies arrived on the scene a search of the outbuilding was conducted and various items were seized to include Coleman fuel, cold packs, batteries, liquid acid and a 5 gallon bucket with liquid. Other items of drug paraphernalia was also seized at the same time.
Kenneth Hugh Gobble Jr was charged with Manufacture Methamphetamine, Maintain a Dwelling to Manufacture Methamphetamine, and Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia. Gobble received a $100,000.00 dollar secured bond and has a pending court date in Statesville.
As a result of this search two others were charged with Misdemeanor charges as well.
Kayla Marie McFarland was charged with Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule IV for Clonazepam prescription medication and also misdemeanor drug paraphernalia. McFarland was issued a citation and has a pending court date in Statesville District Court.
James Leroy McFarland was charged with Misdemeanor Drug Paraphernalia and was issued a citation and he also has a pending court date in Statesville District Court.
This investigation is still ongoing and all evidence will be sent to SBI Lab for analysis and weights.