Crime & Safety

Shooting Leads to Meth Lab Discovery

A child living at the home was taken into protective custody.

Pasco County deputies responded to a shooting at 14442 Bella Bella Lane in Odessa Monday and found a lot more than a victim.

According to Pasco Sheriff’s Office spokesman Kevin Doll, Richard Johnson, 23, of Lutz was shot in the leg at the home.

While investigating the shooting, a consent to search the home was given by Brandy Johnson, 28. During the investigation, narcotics detectives “located a meth lab in the shed outside the back door of the home.”

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Starter fluid, drain opener, empty nasal decongestant packs and two batteries with the lithium removed were found. When these items are mixed together they are used to manufacture methamphetamine, the report stated.

Trace amounts of narcotics also were located inside the home, according to the report.

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A child who lived in the home had access to all areas, the report stated.

Post-Miranda, Brandy Johnson said there had been a fire in the shed the previous week, “and still allowed the child access to these areas where the chemicals were located,” according to the report.

Brandy Johnson was arrested and charged with child neglect and possession of listed chemicals for manufacture of a controlled substance.

The child was taken into protective custody by child protective investigators.

"Since the victim in the shooting is refusing to cooperate, we are no longer pursuing the suspect,"  Doll said in an email.

Richard Johnson has not been charged. The case is still under investigation, Doll said.

Brandy Johnson and Richard Johnson are not related, Doll said.

Brandy Johnson is being held at the Land O' Lakes jail on $10,000 bond per charge.


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