Shortly thereafter, one of the cops noticed smoke pouring from a nearby road, and when they tracked it down, they found two people trying to douse a grass fire that had been sparked by a makeshift generator feeding into a ramshackle trailer not far from Patterson's residence. One of the people was questioned and released, while the other, Tracey Peeks, told cops she didn't know anything about the contents of the trailer. An investigation into that structure revealed meth-making paraphernalia -- and a four-foot-long rattlesnake to protect the gear.

Peeks was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and and possession of oxycodone; it's not yet known whether or not Patterson will face the same charges.