Pittsfield Township woman charged with operating meth lab at her condo
Local drug investigators said it's the first such operation they've busted in the county in recent years.
Winona Tegan Day, 32, was charged Friday with operating a lab involving methamphetamine and possessing methamphetamine.
She was arraigned Friday afternoon at the Washtenaw County Jail and will be released on a promise to appear in court, jail officials said.
Another woman also is expected to face charges, said Detective Derek Neeb, who works for the Livingston and Washtenaw Narcotics Enforcement Team (LAWNET). Neeb declined to disclose specifics because that woman has not been arraigned.
On August 9, LAWNET officers raided Day's condo at 3201 Primrose Lane and found a one-pot meth operation that had been dismantled, Neeb said.
Investigators seized a couple grams of methamphetamine and found various items that can be used to produce the drug, including fuel, drain cleaner and battery acid, LAWNET records show. The site was deemed hazardous and the MSP Methamphetamine Investigation Team was called to clean it up.
Two days later, the Washtenaw County Public Health Department filed papers in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, asking a judge to forbid Day and anyone else from living at the home until environmental specialists certified that it had been decontaminated.
According to those filings, health officials had posted a notice at the condo forbidding occupancy, but returned the day after the raid to find that someone had written smiley faces on the notice and a "statement that a party was planned."
County Circuit Judge Timothy Connors granted the request by health officials to forbid people from living at the home.
Probate court records show Day was admitted to St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and her mother has been appointed by the court to handle her financial affairs and plans to sell her condo, records show. Day is enrolled at Eastern Michigan University and is studying to be an accountant.
Neeb said investigators received a tip about the operation two months ago. Residents also made complaints, he said.
"Fortunately, this has been the first one we've really had to deal with in a long time," he said.
Day is scheduled to return to court for a preliminary hearing Sept. 29.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
1st Down
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 : 7:37 a.m.
Better call Saul.
RTFM
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 10:57 p.m.
Liber-Page: Sale Date Instrument Sale Price 4504/312 08/05/2005 WARRANTY DEED $207,955.00 Wow! A lot of money for that place.
RJA
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.
Another one released until trial? I don't get it..
hut hut
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 : 1:27 p.m.
you must like paying taxes that are used to build more prisons and pay for more guards.
A2Woman
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 11:41 p.m.
Yep, a 32-year old EMU student (probably in classes with my 20-year old Accounting major)...Hopefully, her Mom will get her to court on time. I'm sure she made a promise, too.
Lovaduck
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 4:31 p.m.
"In the meadow, we can build a meth lab"'..... (To the tune of "Winter Wonderland")
Sallyxyz
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 3:09 p.m.
Where is the mug shot? Mug shots need to be part of any crime article and AA dot com doesn't post many. Why? Also, since this condo will be on the market to be sold (according to the article), how about a specific address beyond 3201 Primrose Lane? Is that a multi-unit address? If it's a condo, that's most likely the case. No one wants to be deceived by less than honest realtors who might not reveal the past meth lab activity on the property and the toxic hazardous nature of that property: "Investigators seized a couple grams of methamphetamine and found various items that can be used to produce the drug, including fuel, drain cleaner and battery acid, LAWNET records show. The site was deemed hazardous and the MSP Methamphetamine Investigation Team was called to clean it up." I think the public has a right to know specifically where this has occurred, and all the residents of that condo complex need to be informed.
Basic Bob
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 5:06 p.m.
The complete street address is: 3201 Primrose Ln, Ypsilanti, MI 48197 The street number defines a single unit, the attached neighbors are 3202, 3203, .... Recently it was listed for sale at $125k, quickly reduced to 115k then taken off the market. That's seriously low for this neighborhood.
YpsiLivin
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 4:39 p.m.
"Will exposure to chemicals in a meth lab result in harmful health effects? While still in operation, or prior to a seizure, there is a high risk for acute exposure to harmful chemicals in meth labs. If you discover an active meth lab, do not attempt to enter. Contact your local law enforcement agency immediately. Many of the chemicals used in the "cooking" process can be harmful. Short-term exposures to high concentrations of chemical vapors that may exist in a functioning meth lab can cause severe health problems or even death. For this reason, meth "cookers", their families, and first responders are at highest risk of acute health effects from chemical exposure, including lung damage and chemical burns to different parts of the body. Heating solvents inside a building can create a highly flammable situation; meth labs are often discovered when fire fighters respond to a blaze. After the police seize a meth lab, there is usually only a low exposure risk to chemical residues, but this contamination needs to be cleaned up. Also, properties often have serious sanitation and safety issues, such as physical and electrical hazards. Sanitation issues can complicate the assessment of chemical hazard risk. Any evaluation needs to consider the overall condition of the property. Residues of methamphetamine and other chemicals remaining at a former meth lab are a concern for people who later use the property. For this reason, local health departments should thoroughly assess the property for hazards prior to allowing it to be re-inhabited, especially if by children. When a meth lab is discovered in a multiple-unit dwelling, neighbors may be concerned about their exposure to hazardous chemicals while the lab was still active. Neighbors' risk for exposure is usually very low, but it is important to address any nearby residents' concerns." <a href="http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/methclnup.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/eh/chemfs/fs/methclnup.htm</a>
Ricebrnr
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 3:45 p.m.
Living in another condo assoc, having had tobacco smoke infiltrate our unit from next door and doing research regarding mitigating such.... "she confirmed that the air ducts, vents, etc, are all seperate for each condo within the building, meaning that chemicals were contained in the one condo and not spread throughout the building." I wouldn't count on it...
clara
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 3:36 p.m.
3201 PRIMROSE LN is registered to DAY WINONA T per Washtenaw County Property records. I do not believe any apartment numbers are used there. There is a Winona T. Day who has been employed by U of M for about 2 years earning $51,000.00 a year in a Dean's Office as a "Financial Specialist Associate". I do not know if these are the same person.
Ellen
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
hi Sally, I tried responding, but my computer is funky this morning! I live across the street from this condo (in the same association). The address refers to the actual home, and not the entire building. I talked with my realtor after hearing of this incident, and she confirmed that the air ducts, vents, etc, are all seperate for each condo within the building, meaning that chemicals were contained in the one condo and not spread throughout the building. It's interesting that I heard about this sitch via "the grapevine" and not via the association. I don't know if they only infomed people in that specific building or no one at all. I do love my condo and this neighborhood, and it was a shock to hear of this going down here. Pretty bold move, given that the cop shop is directly across the street.
Marilyn Wilkie
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 2:18 p.m.
"Investigators seized a couple grams of methamphetamine and found various items that can be used to produce the drug, including fuel, drain cleaner and battery acid, LAWNET records show. The site was deemed hazardous and the MSP Methamphetamine Investigation Team was called to clean it up." Sounds like great stuff. Something I would certainly like to try - NOT!
theodore
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.
I think they should legalize crystal meth--it never hurt anyone. As you can see, she is in college.
bedrog
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 1:40 p.m.
Life imitating art ( "Breaking Bad", "Winter's Bone" etc) in a way we don't need! Creepy in the extreme.
ffej440
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
And I just posted a comment a couple days ago, regarding the approaching meth wave toward Michigan while our AG is busy making medical cannabis Public Enemy #1. For those unfamilliar with the area, this is a very nice upscale type area of Pittsfield, a stone throw from the Police department. When meth is being cooked in a place like this, it kinda looks like the wave has started.
Not from around here
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
Maybe it was medical Meth? than that would be OK
Basic Bob
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
It just shows you can set up a meth lab anywhere. BTW, this was the same condo community with a police shooting. The cops are in there often enough, you would think that would deter crime of this sort.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:41 p.m.
I should add the rhetorical question, if it was a man would we see a mug shot?
Dot
Mon, Sep 19, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
Dillion Pearce got his mugshot posted with every update. This person was admitted to St. Jos. Maybe she hasn't had her mug shot yet.
Sallyxyz
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 3:04 p.m.
I agree. Where are the mug shots, regardless of gender or race? Mug shots need to be part of any crime article.
A2Woman
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
By my observation, there haven't been a lot of mug shots of anyone, male/female with the crime articles lately. Good question, I agree.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:39 p.m.
Ironically Primrose Lane looks to be about a $5 cab ride from the Huron Valley Womens prison. Please note this is merely an observation of physical geography, not an assumption of guilt.
Sallyxyz
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 3:12 p.m.
Probably more like $10 in the overpriced A2 area......
MDavid
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
Sorry, I jumped the gun. I now see the address with the hyperlinked map. I'll drink my morning coffee first next time. That said, it was headlining the accused as a Pittsfield Township woman and then re-stating this broad location in the first paragraph that prompted me to write before reading the entire article. Perhaps she should have been identified as a Primrose Lane (condo) woman. Why generalize when it's appropriate and more accurate to be explicit? And I think a crime map showing cumulative information would be a nice running feature too with links to each dot on the map to the pertinent AnnArbor.com article(s).
djacks24
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 4:53 p.m.
"Perhaps she should have been identified as a Primrose Lane (condo) woman." Yeah, as much as you don't have the patience for finding hyperlinks with imbedded maps, I see you must not understand how SEO (Search Engine Optimization) works. For example, yeah its good to be informed about whats going on in a given local neighborhood. But even as months or years go by beyond what has happened here, folks in this neighborhood perhaps trying to sell their condo don't want an article about a condemned meth lab showing up as a top ten google search result for "primrose lane" or a similar search.
clara
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:53 p.m.
crime maps? <a href="http://ucrime.com/mi/university+of+michigan-ann+arbor" rel='nofollow'>http://ucrime.com/mi/university+of+michigan-ann+arbor</a> <a href="http://spotcrime.com/mi/ann+arbor" rel='nofollow'>http://spotcrime.com/mi/ann+arbor</a> and from AnnArbor.com <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-police-department-announces-launch-of-new-online-crime-map/">http://www.annarbor.com/news/ann-arbor-police-department-announces-launch-of-new-online-crime-map/</a> <a href="http://www.crimemapping.com/map/mi/annarbor" rel='nofollow'>http://www.crimemapping.com/map/mi/annarbor</a>
Nephilim
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:27 p.m.
Hey....where's the lawnet haters on this one? No one here to denounce their actions for shutting down a meth lab in a neighborhood? You should be shocked they had time to do this, well you know, all the time they spend closing dispensaries and going after weed dealers and such.
Gorc
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 1:33 p.m.
Clownfish - maybe LAWNET raided the two dispenciaries because they were doing something illegal other than providing medicine to their patients. I would like to see a follow-up story by Annarbor.com to know what the two dispensary owners or employees were charged with.
clownfish
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 1:01 p.m.
The point many people were making is that LAWNET should spend it's time on these hard drugs and let patients do what the voters allowed them to do.
MDavid
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:16 p.m.
Thanks for the article. I appreciate knowing about local areas where crimes are occurring. However, is it possible to be more specific about the area when the address can't be divulged? My reason is this: There are areas of Pittsfield Township that are consistently in the news for criminal activity or domestic situations, but there are also areas that are consistently law-abiding. Is there a way these articles can be written for the reader to know the location (or at least vicinity) of the criminal activity? Suggestion: Print a crime map of AA and the surrounding townships and place a dot on the location, much like what is done in the AA Observer.
djacks24
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 4:45 p.m.
"The exact address with a hyper link to a map isn't good enough?" I seen it also. No problems finding out exactly where it is. I guess some are technologically savy enough to write a complaint comment, but fail to understand how mapquest works (especially when the map has already been imbedded in the link for them).
clara
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:45 p.m.
The exact address with a hyper link to a map isn't good enough?
Ricebrnr
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 11:41 a.m.
Why did it take 2 months? I feel sorry for her immediate neighbors and fellow associaton members. And in this market and assuming full disclosure who'd buy a potential hazardous waste site?
Tom Teague
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
It might not have been two months, either. From the article: "On August 9, LAWNET officers raided Day's condo at 3201 Primrose Lane and found a one-pot meth operation that had been dismantled, Neeb said." And, "Neeb said investigators received a tip about the operation two months ago. Residents also made complaints, he said." The date of the interview with Neeb isn't provided, but I took it to be near to the time of the charge, which was Friday. Given that two months ago would be mid July, it might have been three weeks after the initial complaint before the raid.
Ricebrnr
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 1:32 p.m.
Right but meth makng is rather noxious and blatant business. A timely visit by a constable, a polite knock and cursory interview at their door... No civil rights broken and probable cause very likely easily available
rainbow
Sun, Sep 18, 2011 : 12:24 p.m.
In addition to the 2nd ammendment, I believe there is a 4th ammendment that protects peoples privacy. I am betting that an investigation had to take place in order to verify a"tip". This might account for the time lapse. Great job to law enforcement for their work. @