Palm Coast FL – A Flagler County couple ends up in handcuffs after deputies found a methamphetamine lab in their vehicle right next to their baby.
Claudia E. Payes and Louis J. Vetrano II – both residents of Ruth Drive in Palm Coast – remain in custody at Putnam County Jail as the Florida Department of Children & Families took custody of the child.
Payes and Vetrano were arrested at 9:30am Monday by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, soon after a lieutenant pulled Vetrano over at an Interlachen shopping center for driving with a suspended driver’s license.
According to the arrest report, a PCSO K-9 deputy checked the outside of the car during the stop and then searched the back seats after the dog started acting like there was drugs in the car.
PCSO says the baby was found sitting in the back alongside a bag of meth and numerous pieces of a meth lab and chemicals needed to make meth, including a bottle that deputies say can be used to emit hydrochloric acid gas. That bottle – known as a “gasser” – was dismantled on scene by the PCSO lieutenant.
In addition, Vetrano admitted that there were syringes in the driver’s side door, per PCSO.
The vehicle was seized by PCSO as part of the investigation.
Payes and Vetrano were charged with possession of methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle used in the process of manufacturing a controlled substance, child neglect without great bodily harm, possession of chemicals used in the production of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Vetrano was also charged with driving while his license was suspended for being a habitual traffic offender. He’s held without bond at PCJ, while Payes had her bond set at $23,000.
PCSO did not release the ages of Vetrano, Payes or the baby.
No injuries were reported.
Louis J. Vetrano II (mugshot courtesy PCJ)
Claudia E. Payes (mugshot courtesy PCJ)
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