Emily Pitha, an independent political consultant working for Senator John McCain’s re-election campaign, was arrested during a drug bust at her home in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday afternoon.
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Undercover detectives and U.S. Postal Inspectors raided the home after the delivery.
Pitha had previously worked as a staff member for Arizona Senators Jon Kyl (now retired) and Jeff Flake, both Republicans, and was listed as a contact for various fundraisers for McCain’s reelection campaign.
“We commend the hard work and dedication of our law enforcement officers in their fight to keep our community safe from illegal drugs and associated criminal activity”, the statement read. Pitha’s boyfriend, Christopher Hustrulid, 36, who was also arrested, signed for the package. John McCain, has been charged for allegedly running a meth lab out of her home. It was the package that led authorities to the home for possible drug activity.
There was also a 5-year-old and a 10-year-old living in the house, so Pitha and Hustrulid may be charged with child endangerment.
McCain’s Senate campaign manager Ryan O’Daniel told reporters on Tuesday that campaign immediately terminated its relationship with Ms. Pitha according to the Arizona Republic.
Detectives then executed a search warrant at Pitha’s home, finding an active meth lab, some LSD, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Pitha was taken into custody on felony drug charges, including manufacturing of narcotic drugs, possession of risky and narcotic drugs, and transportation of unsafe drugs, possession of drug lab equipment and possession of marijuana.
They are scheduled to appear in Maricopa County Superior Court on May 4. [Source: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office] Two children were found on the premises – a five-year old and a 10-year old – with “easy access to all of (the) drugs and materials, even the bomb-making materials that were located in the back with the meth lab”, Gawker reported Detective Doug Mattheson as saying.
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According to Pitha’s LinkedIn profile, she worked for U.S. Sen.
