CLERMONT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
A. J. Rodenberg, Jr., Sheriff
"Leadership By Example"
Office (513) 732-7500
PRESS RELEASE
To : All Media
From: Chief Deputy Rick Combs
Clermont County Sheriff's Office
Date: August 2, 2006
Re: Meth Manufacturing Arrests
On August 1, 2006 the Clermont County Narcotics Unit (CCNU) received information that a male and female were at Meijer Eastgate and made two separate suspicious purchases of a pseudoephedrine product. Loss Prevention Officers were able to obtain the license number and a description of the vehicle used by the subjects as they left the parking lot.
Following a broadcast by the Clermont County Communications Center, the suspect vehicle was located and stopped by Clermont County Sheriff’s Office units in Williamsburg Township. In the vehicle were the two suspects from the Meijer store, and a 15 year old male juvenile. During the investigation, 2 boxes of Meijer brand pseudoephedrine was discovered along with 15 assorted boxes of pseudoephedrine products, a respirator, mason jar, rubber gloves, and receipts showing the purchase of pseudoephedrine products from other stores on the same date. All these items are indicators of the manufacture of methamphetamine.
The suspects, Harry R. Smith (M/W/43), and Dusty Perdom (F/W/27) were charged with Illegal Assembly of Chemicals, and Child Endangering, and transported to the Clermont County Jail.
Within 30 minutes of this arrest, Meijer Eastgate’s Loss Prevention Officers, reported another suspicious purchase of a pseudoephedrine product. A CCNU agent immediately responded to the area of Meijer Eastgate, and with the vehicle description was able to locate the second suspect vehicle. The vehicle was stopped at the Speedway Gas Station at Old SR 74 & SR 32, by a Sheriff’s canine unit, a subsequent investigation revealed pseudoephedrine products purchased from Meijer hidden in the engine compartment of the vehicle.
Both suspects from the second vehicle, Brian Gillman (M/W/29), and Todd Baucom (M/W/29) were arrested for Illegal Assembly of Chemicals and Conspiracy, and transported to the Clermont County Jail.
All four remain in the Clermont County Jail. Photos can be obtained by contacting Mary Gregory at (513)732-7405. Any questions on this case can be directed to Woody Breyer, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office.
Suspect Vehicle #1:
Harry R. Smith
17273 SR 1047
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
DOB: 04/18/63
Charged with Illegal Assembly of Chemicals (Felony 2) and Child Endangering (Felony 3)
Dusty Purdom
42 Barksdale Ave.
Dayton, Ohio 45431
DOB: 12/12/78
Charged with Illegal Assembly of Chemicals (Felony 2)
Suspect Vehicle #2:
Brian Gillman
6835 Heathermoor Trail
Hillsboro, Ohio 45697
DOB: 07/04/77
Charged with Illegal Assembly of Chemicals (Felony 3) and Conspiracy (Felony 3)
Todd Baucom
164 Wildcat Rd.
Winchester, Ohio 45697
DOB: 05/27/77
Charged with Illegal Assembly of Chemicals (Felony 3) and Conspiracy (Felony 3)