ROCKINGHAM — Three people are facing drug and child abuse charges following a methamphetamine bust in a hotel room late last week.

Rockingham Police Chief Billy Kelly said two investigators, responding to an anonymous tip on Friday, smelled a “strong chemical” odor coming from a room at the Regal Inn.

The investigators discovered an active one-pot, or shake-and-bake, meth lab in the room, along with three adults and two children. Kelly said both children were under 3 years old.

The Rockingham Fire Department responded to decontaminate the occupants, and the N.C. State Bureau of Investigation was called to collect the volatile chemicals and byproducts.

Kelly said investigators found several ingredients used to make meth, including pseudoephedrine and lithium.

Officers arrested 20-year-old Andrew Jennings Roscoe, 19-year-old Jessica Alexandra Roberts and 50-year-old Dorothy Ann Joyner in the case. They are each charged with one count of manufacturing methamphetamine, conspiracy to sell methamphetamine and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance; six counts of possession or distribution of a meth precursor; and two counts of misdemeanor child abuse.

All three were booked into the Richmond County Jail under a $200,000 secured bond. They are scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 3.

Kelly said the Richmond County Department of Social Services was called to take custody of the children.

Online records show that none of the three defendants have any other pending charges or past criminal convictions in North Carolina.

All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

Reach William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_Toler.

Roscoe
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_ANDREW-JENNINGS-ROSCOE.jpgRoscoe

Roberts
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_JESSICA-ALEXANDRA-ROBERTS.jpgRoberts

Joyner
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_DORTHY-ANN-JOYNER.jpgJoyner

By William R. Toler

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