POLKTON — Authorities arrested three people — including a man and his daughter — in a Jan. 2 meth lab bust.
Charles Lewis Ratliff, 48, and Jessica Cheyenne Ratliff, 20, were arrested along with Herman Dempsey Pierce Jr., 41 on meth charges, according to arrest warrants.
Both Charles and Jessica Ratliff were charged with felony manufacturing of methamphetamine, felony possession or distribution of a meth precursor, felony maintaining a dwelling place for a controlled substance and child abuse.
According to arrest warrants, officers found lighter fluid and lithium batteries in their possession as meth precursors. They were charged with child abuse as Jessica Ratliff’s child, and Charles Ratliff’s grandchild, was under 16 years of age and allegedly kept in an active meth lab. The house listed in the warrant was a mobile home on Ansonville-Polkton Road in Polkton.
Charles Ratliff received probation in 1991 after being convicted of driving while his license was revoked in Anson County. He has no other convictions in North Carolina.
Jessica Ratliff has no record of criminal convictions in North Carolina.
Both posted bail, which was $25,000 each. Charles Ratliff posted his on Tuesday and Jessica Ratliff posted hers on Jan. 2.
Both are scheduled to appear in court on Jan. 12.
Pierce was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, felony possession or distribution of a meth precursor and child abuse. He had no record of prior convictions in North Carolina or pending charges when he was arrested.
Pierce was still listed in the Anson County Jail as of Friday evening under a $100,000 secured bond. He will appear in court on Jan. 12.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.