Residents question handling of drug case

By Mary Joseph, NEWS 9

BRIDGE CREEK, Okla. - Members of a rural Grady County community want to know why a suspect isn't facing drug charges after sheriff's deputies busted a meth lab in Bridge Creek.

On March 14, sheriff's deputies raided William Hibdon's trailer where they found a working meth lab and 171 gram, or about $6,000 worth of meth.

"All the normal precursors for making meth were present," Sheriff Kieran McMullen said. "This was for resale. That would be your entire intent for making that sizable of meth."

Despite reports from OSBI confirming the substance tested positive as meth, the district attorney had not filed drug possession charges as of Thursday.

Hibdon has been charged with possession of firearm after a former conviction and possession of drug paraphernalia.  

Bridge Creek resident Bruce Dees said he is concerned that charges haven't been filed.

"Somebody is not doing their job," Dees said.

Dees thinks politics may be playing a role. District Attorney Bret Burns charged the sheriff with illegal gambling in 2006 after a raid at an Elks lodge. 

"Because he does not get along with the sheriff's office right now and because of what's happened in the past between them, I really don't know," Dees said. "I really don't see any other reason why charges have not been filed."

DA Burns said he got the lab results from the meth bust this week and this case is still under review.