METHLAB RAID NETS DRUGS, GUNS AND 6-YEAR-OLD GIRL

Parent Faces Charges Under New Law

COLLINSVILLE - Police raided an suspected meth lab in Collinsville on
Wednesday, a house that was also home to a six-year-old child.

Madison County sheriff's deputies and the Metropolitan Enforcement
Group of Southwestern Illinois raided 3325 Arlington Drive, executing
a search warrant based on tips there was illegal drug activity in the house.

Police said they found several chemicals used to make
methamphetamine, along with the finished product. Cocaine, cannabis,
a semi-automatic pistol and a shotgun also were found, police said.

Also present in the house: a six-year-old child of one of the
arrested people. Sheriff's Sgt. Gary Burns declined to name the
parent, but said a family member took temporary custody of the child
and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is investigating.

New laws passed in September make the penalties stiffer for meth
production around children, Burns said.

"The aggravating factors (for criminal charges) were the weapons in
the house and a child in the house," Burns said. "This will hopefully
get the message out to meth producers and users that there are
serious penalties, and we will not turn a blind eye to it in Madison County."

Three people have been charged with aggravated participation in the
manufacture of methamphetamine, a Class X felony. They are: Daniel A.
Niles, 34, and Cynthia E. Leadlove, 37, both of 1817 Spruce St. in
Granite City; and Shawn A. Thompson, 28, of 3325 Arlington Drive.
Circuit Judge Charles Romani set bail for each at $100,000. If
convicted, each faces six to 30 years in prison.

During the search, Kimberly A. Gestes, 33, of 3123 Arlington Drive
arrived at the scene with open alcohol in her car, Burns said. During
her arrest, Burns said deputies found a controlled substance in her
purse. The nature of the controlled substance still is being
determined. Gestes has been charged with possession of a controlled
substance, and Romani set her bail at $15,000.

"I don't believe we have found any evidence to suggest she had a
connection to the lab," Burns said. "She just happened to pull up as
they were conducting the search."