COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – An Alabama man was arraigned Tuesday in Branch County District Court on numerous charges after police discovered a methamphetamine lab in one of the rooms at Coldwater’s Red Roof Inn.
Among the charges being faced by 52-year-old James Ashford Morris Junior are two counts of operating and maintaining a meth lab. Bond was set at $100,000. A probable cause hearing was scheduled for next Tuesday with a preliminary exam June 13, 2017.
Three other Alabama residents are being sought.
Police went to the Red Roof Inn after an officer discovered suspicious pseudoephedrine purchases made the suspects.
Officers found Morris inside his vehicle in the parking lot. He consented to a search of his room where multiple methamphetamine components and meth were discovered. Upon discovery of an active meth lab in an adjacent room, the entire hotel was evacuated due to concern for their safety. The hotel guests were transported to area hotels by the Branch Area Transit Authority.
Additional meth labs and meth related materials were also found in the truck and hotel dumpster. Meth responders from the Coldwater Police Department and the Branch County Sheriff’s Office were called in for the meth clean up.
Coldwater Police were assisted by the Branch County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, the Coldwater Fire Department and the Branch Area Transit Auhority.
