Officers say meth and pills found in Isabella home

An early morning search at an Isabella home earlier this month led to felony drug charges for two residents, after officers reported finding methamphetamine and other illegal substances inside the house.

Kelly Mitchel Risley, 37, and Courtney Michelle Teague, 40, both of Isabella, have been charged with two counts of possession of methamphetamine and one misdemeanor count of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. 

According to the probable cause statement, prepared by Ozark County Deputy Gannon Moss, at 6:36 a.m. Oct. 10, a search warrant was executed at Risley and Teague’s home on County Road 618 in Isabella. 

Officers say they found a glass pipe, a digital scale and a juice bottle that had been modified with a rubber hose, containing water - all three items field-tested positive for methamphetamine, the report says. Officers also found five hydrocodone pills, and neither Risley or Teague held a prescription for the drug, Moss indicated. 

Both suspects were present at the residence during the search, and the seized items were found in areas of the home that were accessible to both occupants, “indicating their knowledge and control over the contraband,” Moss said in the report. 

Risley has been charged as a prior offender due to his 2016 conviction of possession of Hydrocodone in Ozark County and a 2018 felony conviction of leaving the scene of an accident with personal injury and driving while intoxicated with personal injury. The designation means that, if convicted, he will face more serious consequences than he would have without the designation. 

Both are out on pre-trial supervised bond release. Risley is being represented by Matthew Colston of Cathage, and Teague’s attorney is Benjamin Simpson of West Plains. 

A preliminary hearing for Teague is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 9, and for Risley at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 6. Both hearings will be before Associate Judge Raymond Gross.