Officers injured at scene by toxic fumes
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

When officers served an active arrest warrant on Gerrilynn Parnell, 31, they found a methamphetamine lab in operation in the basement of a residence on 2264 S. Friendship Road, near Milan.

Versailles Town Marshal David Adams described the highly toxic gas as a "cloud of what looked like fog rising up the staircase." He, along with investigation officer Trooper Larry D. Noah of the Indiana State Police, both had burning in their eyes and faces from the toxic fumes. They were treated at the scene by rescue personnel.

When officers arrived on Saturday, September 11, at around 8:30 p.m. to serve the initial warrant on Parnell, they saw several people fleeing the residence. Taken into custody at that time were Larry Parnell, 40, of Milan; Mindy L. McCord, 25, of Vevay, and Matthew E. Verbosky, 26, of Harrison, OH. Later when Gerrilynn Parnell arrived at the resi
dence, she too was taken into custody. All four were charged with numerous crimes according to information from Trooper Noah. Those charges include the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

The four arrested were still incarcerated at the Ripley County Jail on Monday morning, September 13, according to Ripley County Sheriff Bill Davison.

Officials from the Switzerland County Department of Family and Children were called to take four chil
dren from the residence where the four were arrested.

The investigation led officers to a search warrant in Switzerland County, where additional methamphetamine precursors and paraphernalia related to the case were found.

"This is the first time I've been involved in an arrest where the lab was actually in operation," noted Marshal Adams, who said an expert with the Indiana State Police, noted at the time officers were at the residence, the fumes were "highly
toxic".

Officers from the Ripley County Sheriff's Department, and Indiana State Police Meth Lab Team were also involved in the arrests.

K-9 Units from the Versailles Police Department, King and Buddy, were also on hand and would have been used if Verbosky hadn't given up freely. He was hiding in a nearby wooded area, but when he heard the dogs were there he came out. "These units (the dogs) have great value," Marshal Adams concluded.