EMPORIUM — A Wednesday traffic stop led police to bust a methamphetamine-making operation in southern Cameron County.

On Wednesday morning, a state trooper had contact with Jay Dee Ball, 39, of Sinnemahoning, at a pull-off spot along Route 155 in Gibson Township. Ball was wanted on several outstanding warrants. While police were taking him into custody, they allegedly found him to be in possession of drugs and paraphernalia in the vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint, the officer saw a smoking pipe in the vehicle, and then initiated a probable cause search of the car.

Within the car were suspected marijuana and methamphetamine along with syringes and additional smoking devices, court records indicated. The trooper then questioned Ball about information previously received by PSP concerning drug-manufacturing operations at Ball’s Sinnemahoning residence.

“Ball stated that within his residence…there were two to three ‘one-pot’ methamphetamine manufacturing generators. Ball also stated that there was one ‘smoker’ methamphetamine manufacturing device outside of his residence,” according to the affidavit of probable cause on file at Magisterial District Judge Barry Brown’s office in Emporium.

A search warrant was then granted for the residence and surrounding grounds, and numerous suspected drug-related items were discovered, according to the returned search warrant. Items found included many of the ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, vessels in which to cook the drugs and related paraphernalia.

Ball then gave written consent for his home to be searched and acknowledged that there was a wanted individual inside the residence. The wanted individual, Benjamin Simms, 24, of Austin, was located within, as were two other individuals, Jessica Lynn Pearsall, 33, of Emporium, and Ashley Nicole Grovanz, 25, of Sinnemahoning.

Two children were also found to be living in the house, and according to the affidavit, “All the contraband within this residence was in plain view and accessible by all occupants including the juvenile children.”

Felony charges of possessing phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture; manufacture, delivery, or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver, manufacture of methamphetamine—child present; deposits, stores, disposes chemical waste, risking catastrophe, possession of controlled substance; two counts of endangering welfare of children—parent/guardian/other commits offense; and related misdemeanors have been charged against Ball, Grovanz, Pearsall and Simms. Additional charges pending against Ball include a felony count of manufacture, delivery or possession with the intent to manufacture or deliver and misdemeanors of possession of a controlled substance and related charges stemming from the traffic stop in Gibson Township.

Preliminary arraignments have been held for some of the defendants. Ball was arraigned on the charges related to the traffic stop and was jailed in Potter County in lieu of $25,000 cash bond. Pearsall was arraigned and jailed in McKean County in lieu of $75,000 bond. Grovanz was also remanded to the McKean County in lieu of $75,000 bond following her arraignment hearing. Simms and Ball have yet to be arraigned on the charges related to the search of Ball’s residence.

Preliminary hearings had been scheduled for some cases in early May, but they have been continued in order to secure legal representation for all defendants. Attorney information and court dates are not yet available.