Trenton police officer busts mobile meth lab

By Carrie A. Mizell

Two men accused of breaking into Wilson Gas and stealing gas cylinders to make meth were stopped and arrested by the Trenton Police Department after the driver ran a stop sign.
Edward S. Ogelsby, 27, of Steinhatchee and David G. Smith, 36, of Old Town were arrested on Sunday, Aug. 8 after a search of their vehicle by local enforcement revealed a mobile meth lab.
According to Trenton Police Chief Billy Smith, Officer Lonnie Wilkerson was patrolling near NE 14th Avenue, which is the Pine Estates residential neighborhood, when he observed a vehicle run a stop sign.
When he pulled the vehicle over, Officer Wilkerson determined that the driver, Ogelsby had no valid driver’s license. The officer then called the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office and asked for backup. When a deputy arrived, the two searched the vehicle and found two bags of still wet meth inside the vehicle.
Two 30-pound gas cylinders were also found in the vehicle. One cylinder was labeled Wilson Gas, while the other was labeled Ferrellgas. After contacting Alan Wilson, owner of Wilson Gas, the investigation unfolded when Wilson reviewed surveillance footage taken by his high tech security cameras and saw one of the men climbing over the perimeter fence outside his business and stealing the two tanks off the dock.
According to Chief Smith, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) was called in because the materials found in the vehicle were considered hazardous as they were used to cook off meth. DEA officials took samples that later tested positive for meth.
While being questioned, David Smith told investigators that he and Ogelsby were on their way to Southern States to steal anhydrous ammonia when Officer Wilkerson stopped them.
Chief Smith would like to publicly thank Officer Wilkerson for the great job he did on this case. According to the police chief, Officer Wilkerson’s salary is paid through a law enforcement grant the department receives. Sadly, the grant will run out in September and Officer Wilkerson will then lose his job.