Joseph Perez Third Person Arrested In Deadly Meth-Related Fire

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- Gwinnett County Sheriff’s deputies said Thursday they charged a third person in connection with a fatal fire that killed three children.

Deputies said Joseph Perez was inside the home on Spring Mill Drive in Lilbu last week when a fire broke out. Perez is charged with methamphetamine trafficking.

Authorities said they located Perez while searching for Ivan Gonzalez. Gonzalez is wanted on three counts of murder, as well as arson and drug trafficking charges.

Investigators said the fire started when chemicals used to make methamphetamine ignited.

Neibo Brito,22, is also charged in connection with the fire. Brito’s three children, Issac, Ivan and Stacy, were killed in the fire.

A Gwinnett County judge decided early Thursday that Brito will remain behind bars until her case can be heard in State Supreme Court.

Officers revealed in the preliminary hearing what they found inside.

”In a back utility closet I located a plastic container. That container contained approximately 440 grams of a white powder that was consistent for methamphetamine, an undercover officer testified.

The officer also told the judge he found cellophane wrappers, food saver bags and containers of acetone which is used in a meth washing process.

The officer said some of the materials were still buing on the store. "There was a pot containing a brown liquid substance which was consistent of that of liquid methamphetamine."

Brito’s attoey, Sam Harrison, told Channel 2’s Kerry Kavanaugh his client was not selling meth. Harrison said he planned to ask for bond for Brito again in State Supreme Court.