October 16, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
Two women, one of them an Alabama fugitive, were nabbed in a drug investigation two weeks ago by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department in which investigators found methamphetamine and a stolen car from Davidson County.
30-year-old Amber Leigh Merlo of Shelbyville is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver and being a fugitive from justice. Her bond totals $82,500.
31-year-old Lisa Michelle Huard of 145 Cleveland Way, Smithville is charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, and she was released on an own recognizance (OR) bond.
Both will make their first court appearance on October 19.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on October 2 a drug detective along with other members of the sheriff’s office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant at 145 Cleveland Way, Smithville where Merlo was found to be in possession of 7.52 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine and various items of drug paraphernalia and digital scales. Merlo was also in possession of a 2011 Hyundai Sonata confirmed stolen out of Davidson County. Huard was found in possession of 0.68 grams of a crystal-like substance believed to be meth and various items of drug paraphernalia and digital scales. Two days later, DeKalb County investigators learned that the Huntsville, Alabama Police Department would be extraditing Merlo back there where she is wanted on other charges.