The West Fork couple whose argument over pornography led to their arrests in February pleaded not guilty Friday to operating an illegal moonshine still, according to the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office.
Frank Adams, 49, and Margaret Smith, 44, entered their plea in Washington County Circuit Court and were given a trial date of May 9. The couple was arrested Feb. 8 on suspicion of felony possession of an illicit still, police said.
When police arrived at the West Fork house, they said Smith was in the garage with a car engine running, saying she wanted to kill herself by carbon monoxide poisoning.
Court documents state Smith told officers she was upset because Adams, her boyfriend, was viewing internet pornography. Police said while talking with Smith, they discovered an illicit still for making alcohol.
According to court documents, the still included a white five-gallon bucket with a copper worm and pressure cooker, which police said contained the heavy odor of an intoxicating beverage.
John Ritchie said he has lived in West Fork for 30 years and that something happening like this is surprising.
“We have had some problems with drugs in town, but that’s everywhere you go,” he said. “Nothing major has happened in this town for quite some time.”
Billy Bowden, a local man, said such situations could happen in a town of any size.
“People are going to do what they want to do and that’s all that’s to it,” he said. “Small towns aren’t going to stop them; big cities aren’t going to stop them.”
Adams and Smith were released from the Washington County Detention Center on a $2,500 bond the same day of their arrest, police said.
