Ohio double homicide investigation leads to drug arrests

DARKE COUNTY, Oh. (WANE) A double homicide investigation in Mercer County, Ohio has lead to the arrests of five people on drug charges in Darke County.

Officials in Ohio said on January 3, 2012 the deputies and detectives from the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, along with investigators from the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office and agents from the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to 1024 State Road 571 with a pre-drawn hour search warrant on the residence for the manufacturing of methamphetamine.

A search of the home found evidence of an active clandestine methamphetamine lab.

Several emergency responders remained on the scene while the lab was dismantled and evidence was collected. No surrounding residences were evacuated.

Two adult females, three adult males and a seven-year-old juvenile boy were removed from the home without incident. Custody of the 7-year-old boy was turned over to Darke County Children’s Services.

Arrested was Christina Melchor, 34, Manuel Melchor, 33 and Bryant Rhoades, 21 of that address.

Also arrested was Christopher Brock, 46 of Winchester, Indiana and Letisha Parker, 20 of Portland, Indiana.

All arrestees were taken to the Darke County Kail where each was being held, pending charges for illegal manufacturing of meth and child endangering.

The case remains under investigation by Darke County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials in Mercer County said the information in the release came to them from the Jay County, Indiana Sheriff’s Office.

An additional stolen vehicle was recovered near Mendon as a result of the same information from Jay County, Indiana.