Court documents indicate Marlene Kepple, 53, of Emlenton, and Kelly Adkins, 39, of Brookville, both stood for preliminary hearings on Tuesday, March 5.

The following charges against Kepple were waived for court:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Conspiracy — Knowingly Possess Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Int. Possession of a Controlled Substance by Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor
– Conspiracy — Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia

The following charges against Adkins were also waived for court:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor
– Conspiracy — Knowingly Possess Ephedrine, Misdemeanor

The charges have been transferred to the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.

Both women remain free on $25,000.00 unsecured bail.

The charges stem from an investigation by CNET (Clarion County Narcotics Enforcement Team) and Clarion County Chief Detective William H. Peck.

Failed Meth Precursor Purchases at Walmart Lead Police to McGinnis

According to a criminal complaint, on January 29, 2019, Clarion County Chief Detective William Peck obtained information that a known woman, Marlene Kepple attempted to purchase a box pseudoephedrine at Walmart located in Monroe Township, Clarion County, and was blocked from the purchase. Seven minutes later another person, Kelly Adkins, with a VA driver’s license, attempted to purchase the same box of pseudoephedrine that Kepple attempted to purchase. Walmart security office was contacted and was able to determine that Kepple and Adkins were together.

Walmart Loss Prevention also was able to determine that Adkins purchased lithium batteries and coffee filters, also items used to manufacture methamphetamine. Loss prevention described the individuals’ vehicle as a black Chevy Trailblazer.

Detective Peck was able to locate the suspect vehicle with VA registration plates in the parking lot of Tractor Supply, another known store to purchase items used to make methamphetamine. Detective Peck observed the vehicle was only occupied by the driver.

He waited by the state police barracks for the vehicle to leave. When the vehicle left, Tractor Supply was contacted, and it was learned that the female who was in the store purchased a bottle of crystal drain cleaner. Detective Peck followed the suspect vehicle on State Route 68, and it turned onto Piney Road. The suspect vehicle pulled into a driveway and backed out in front of Detective Peck. He approached the vehicle and identified the driver as Adkins and the passenger, Marlene Kepple. Detective Peck asked both women when was the last time they did meth. They both stated it’s been awhile, according to the complaint.

Detective Peck then asked them if they had any items to make meth in the car. Adkins replied said “yes,” — the pills, batteries, coffee filters, and drain cleaner, according to the criminal complaint. Kepple admitted to purchasing the drain cleaner at Tractor Supply. She stated she was just doing it for the money. She was going to be paid $100.00 from “Gary” to buy the stuff for him. Adkins said that Gary cooks meth. Both Adkins and Kepple were taken into custody and transported to the District Attorney’s office, the complaint states.

Adkins and Kepple identified the “cook” as Gary McGinnis and identified his residence as 5464 Route 368 Parker, Pa.

Adkins said that she was on the way to deliver the items to McGinnis when Chief Peck stopped them. She called McGinnis on the phone in Detective Peck’s presence, and agreed to meet around 3:55 p.m. on Thursday, January 31, at Taco Bell in Clarion to give McGinnis the meth precursors, the complaint indicates.

McGinnis was taken into custody in the parking lot of Taco Bell. He was read his Miranda rights, and he denied that he was there to pick up the items to make meth. He stated that he was owed $100.00, according to the complaint.

Adkins was arraigned in Judge Schill’s office on Friday, February 1.

Kepple was arraigned in Judge Schill’s office on Monday, February 4.

Additionally, 46-year-old Gary McGinnis, of Parker, was arraigned on Thursday, January 31, at 7:13 p.m. in Magisterial District Judge Timothy P. Schill’s office on the following charges:

– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Conspiracy — Possessing Phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a Precursor Substance with Intent to Unlawfully Manufacture, Felony
– Knowingly Possessing Ephedrine, Misdemeanor

He was released from the Clarion County Jail on February 6 after posting $25,000.00 cash bail.

A preliminary hearing in the case scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on March 5 was continued, and the next hearing has not yet been scheduled.

New Charges Filed After Meth Lab Discovered at McGinnis’ Residence

While in custody on January 31, McGinnis admitted that he cooks meth and uses meth, according to the criminal complaint. He stated that Kepple and Adkins and another female provide him with boxes (of precursors) so he can make the meth.

McGinnis consented to a search of his residence on State Route 368, and police seized a methamphetamine one pot and other related items at his residence, the complaint states.

During the search multiple items that are commonly used to manufacture methamphetamine were discovered inside the home.

The Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team was dispatched to the residence. They seized 24 items related to the manufacturing of methamphetamine, including a 20 ounce Mountain Dew bottle that was being used to manufacture methamphetamine using the “one-pot” method, a mason jar with a clear liquid inside, batteries, and a Coleman fuel can.

The items were sent to the PA State Police Crime Lab in Erie. On February 1, Detective Peck received confirmation from chemist Brett Sailor that the items were being used to manufacture methamphetamine.

McGinnis was arraigned on February 13 at 2:00 p.m. on the following charges:

• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Operating a methamphetamine lab, Felony 2
• Possessing phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture, Felony
• Use/Possession Of Drug Parapharnalia, Misdemeanor

A preliminary hearing in the case scheduled for 1:15 p.m. on March 5 was continued, and the next hearing has not yet been scheduled.