County worker accused in meth case

These were some of the items found recently after Bedford County investigators paid a visit to a home on Highway 82 South after information was received that a meth lab may have been operating there. (Bedford County Sheriff's Department photo) [Click to enlarge]

An employee of the Bedford County Highway Department faces charges of manufacturing methamphetamine after sheriff's investigators acted on a tip about a possible lab.

Billy Joe Burks, 35, of Highway 82 South, has been charged with initiation of a process intended to result in the manufacture of methamphetamine and possession of a legend drug.

His wife, 29-year-old Alicia Marie Burks, was charged with criminal responsibility for facilitation of a felony, possession of schedule VI and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Billy Joe Burks is free on $5,000 bond and Alicia Marie Burks made $3,000 bond. Both are due to appear in Bedford County General Sessions Court on July 29.

Highway superintendent Stanley Smotherman said Thursday that Burks is still working with the department and no action will be taken until the matter is resolved in court.

According to Det. Sgt. David Sakich, Sheriff Randall Boyce received information about a possible meth lab at the Burks residence and further information indicated that two children may live at the home.

The case was handed to Sakich and a welfare check on the children was made by him, Capt. Becky Hord and Deputy Kevin Holton, who met Burks and told him why they were there.

Burks invited Sakich and Hord into the home to check the welfare of the kids and asked consent to search the house and property for any illegal drugs.

Burks gave consent and woke up his wife Alicia. Captain Hord explained to Alicia Burks why they were there, and Alicia Burks gave Hord a small film container with marijuana inside.

Holton entered the home and began searching the kitchen, where he found a bag of marijuana, as well as two boxes of matches, four boxes of cold and allergy pills and boric acid, substances that are used to make meth.

At that time, Deputy Todd Hammond and Agent Larry Campbell joined the search, looking in the outbuildings on the property. Campbell found Coleman camp fuel, eight feet of airline tubing, an instant cold pack, a gallon of muriatic acid, a gallon glass jug and a bottle of Red Devil Lye, which are also components of a meth lab.

During Sakich's search, he found a pipe with marijuana residue, two small straws with white powder residue and a pack of rolling papers.

According to Sakich's report, he advised Billy Joe Burks of his rights and he chose to speak without an attorney present, saying that "he had nothing to hide, that he cooked meth on the property."

Burks also said his wife knew he was cooking on the property, claiming she walked in on him while he was doing so in the past, but added he never cooked meth while the children were at home.

A total of $760 in cash was taken as well as four handguns and nine rifles. The Meth Task Force of Coffee County and Hazmat was alerted for clean up of the lab site.