WOMAN ACCUSED OF METH DISTRIBUTION NEAR SCHOOL

PERRYVILLE -- A 22-year-old woman was arrested, accused of distributing methamphetamine from her apartment near Perryville High School, the Perry County sheriff said.

A 15-year-old girl was cited into juvenile court Thursday in connection with the incident, Sheriff Gary Schaaf said. He said he suspects other high school students were going to Kerri Sue Ellis' apartment for narcotics.

"The girl wasn't opposed to having people of high school age there," Schaaf said. "I just hope this sends a message to others."

Sheriff's deputies went to Ellis' apartment at 301 S. Spring St. Thursday morning looking for another girl besides the 15-year-old, who had not gone to school for several days. Deputies were aware of prior drug activity at the apartment, a report said.

Deputies received consent from Ellis to search her apartment. They found a large mirror on the floor with several bowls made of tin foil, which appeared to be burned on their insides and bottoms. Along with the bowls, other items, including a small rock, were on the mirror. The sheriff's department's dog Eiko was called in and confirmed deputies' suspicions the rock was methamphetamine, officers said.

Two other rocks found on stairs leading to the bedroom were also identified as methamphetamine, deputies said.

When questioned by a deputy, Ellis said that all the items except the rocks belonged to her. She said that on Wednesday night she and several others had bought a "quarter" of methamphetamine and returned with it to her apartment.

The next morning, when she heard knocking at her door, Ellis said she told the 15-year-old girl to take the mirror and other items out of the living room.

Ellis was arrested and charged with three felonies: distribution of a controlled substance near a school, distribution of narcotics to a minor and possession of a controlled substance. She was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor.

This is not the first time Schaaf has charged someone with distributing narcotics near a school, which is punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison or a life sentence.

The first felony charge can be applied to narcotics sold within a quarter mile of a school, Schaaf said.

As for the girl originally sought by deputies for skipping school, she was not found at Ellis' apartment. The girl was not missing, Schaaf said, because she was still staying with her parents during the week.

"I've assumed that her parents are going to take care of her," Schaaf said.