By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

COLUMBIANA – A 36-year-old Sycamore man is being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $111,000 after he was charged with allegedly operating a methamphetamine lab in the Shelby Motor Lodge in Alabaster.

The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested Jason Lee Jones, who lists an address on Handley Street in Sycamore, on April 3 and charged him with felony counts of manufacturing a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to Jones’ arrest warrant, he allegedly operated a meth lab and produced the controlled substance at 1550 First St. N. in Alabaster. The warrant lists an April 3 offense date.

Jones allegedly was in possession of methamphetamine and a glass pipe at the time of his arrest.

Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force Commander Lt. Kevin Turner said the Task Force responded to the hotel after Alabaster police officers discovered the lab.

Unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance is a Class A felony, and is punishable by up to life in prison upon conviction. Possession of drug paraphernalia is a Class C felony, and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction.