Six arrested on meth-related charges in Scott County

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter announced in a news release Friday that six Scott County residents were arrested Thursday in connection with manufacturing and possessing methamphetamine.

Sheriff's department detectives Jeff Schmitt and Branden Caid responded to a call Friday about drug activity at a home on Southwest Loop outside Benton.

The detectives spoke with the homeowner, Christopher Copeland, who the detectives say admitted to making methamphetamine the night before.

Tammy Copeland

A search of the home turned up the drug and its precursors. Copeland was arrested with his wife, Tammy Copeland, and her son, Raymond Marshall.

The arrest led investigators to another home outside Benton, where authorities made contact with homeowner Travis Gibson. A search of Gibson's home turned up numerous bags of a substance believed to be methamphetamine, chemicals, cold pills and other methamphetamine precursors.

Gibson, Nichole Welker and Jacob Jungers were arrested.

Travis Gibson

Christopher Copeland, 42, is charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, the news release said. Bond is set at $100,000.

Tammy J. Copeland, 45, is charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, according to the news release. Bond is set at $75,000.

Marshall, 22, is charged with manufacturing a

Jacob Jungers

controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. Bond is set at $75,000.

Gibson, 36, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with the intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine precursors with the intent to manufacture. His bond is set at $50,000.

Welker, 21, of Benton, is charged with possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia. Bond is set at $25,000.

Raymond Marshall

Jungers, 18, of Scott City, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana. His bond is set at $25,000.