COUPLE ACCUSED OF MAKING DRUGS

Neighbors Were Unaware Of Illegal, Dangerous Activity

Neighbors of the Kanawha County couple recently charged with the
manufacture of methamphetamine said they had no idea what was allegedly
happening in their small apartment complex.

And only after the couple was arrested did neighbors realize how dangerous
the situation could have been.

"A police officer told us we were pretty fortunate there wasn't a huge
explosion," said neighbor Chris Colagrosso. The items used in the
manufacture of methadone are very volatile.

William E. Leslie, 39, of Hurricane and Sarah Schulz, 24, of Nitro both
appeared before Federal Magistrate Mary Feinberg this morning

Feinberg found probable cause in both cases for the charges against the
defendants and will allow prosecutors to proceed to trial in U.S. District
Court.

Feinberg released Leslie on his own recognizance until the couple's as yet
unscheduled trial. Schultz, however, was denied any bond and will wait in a
federal detention facility until trial.

According to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court, police
entered the couple's apartment at 714A High St., outside of St. Albans, on
Sept. 20, based on a warrant obtained with information from a confidential
informant.

Police were told that the informant allegedly had observed Schulz and
Leslie cooking methamphetamine in the bathroom of the residence.

When police later entered the residence, they found a mason jar containing
methamphetamine in the freezer, according to the complaint.

"Also seized from the apartment were items indicative of a clandestine meth
lab including numerous containers of Coleman fuel, a container of acetone,
glassware and a homemade reaction vessel commonly used in the production of
meth, a bottle of suspected red phosphorous, muriatic acid and numerous
empty blister packs and boxes of pseudoephedrine," according to the complaint.

The couple had rented their apartment in the 12-unit complex in early
September, but hadn't moved in much furniture, said neighbor Al Corbin.

When asked if he was scared living so close to what authorities say is a
potentially dangerous situation, Corbin replied, "I'm from Los Angeles.
I've spent a lot of time around likewise potentially dangerous things. This
is further evidence that small town America isn't as safe as everyone would
like to think it is."