FOUR OAKS, N.C. (WNCN) – A call to authorities regarding stolen cash and a rifle led to the discovery of a methamphetamine lab and homemade bombs inside the home of a Four Oaks man, according to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.
Jeffrey Michael Beasley, 38, is a convicted felon and by law is not allowed to own a gun. Despite that, he called authorities on Aug. 31 to report that his rifle, along with $200 cash, had been stolen from his Bass Road home.
The sheriff’s office obtained an arrest warrant for Beasley on a charge of possession with a firearm by felon and went to his home Tuesday to serve the warrant, authorities said. When Beasley opened his door, deputies saw what they believed to be a meth lab inside the home. Beasley was arrested on the warrant and the sheriff’s office secured the scene while they obtained a search warrant.
Once the warrant was signed by a judge, authorities began to search the home where they found a meth lab and two homemade bombs.
One bomb had blasting caps and the other bomb had a fuse and was similar to an improvised explosive device (IED), officials said.
In addition to the sheriff’s office, the Bentonville Fire Department and the State Bureau of Investigation took part in the search and seizure.
According to the sheriff’s office, federal agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) are also investigating and Beasley may be charged with federal crimes.
Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell thanked all those who assisted with the arrest, search and seizure.
“As Sheriff, I want to thank our deputies in the Narcotics Division, SBI agents, and the Bentonville firemen, for assisting us in their role in cleaning up this meth lab and hazardous chemicals [Friday] evening,” he said. “While on the scene, I personally witnessed these public servants willing to put their own lives on the line to ensure that this community is safe, and that we will not sit idle and allow this type of drug activity to occur in our county.”
