The Laurel County Sheriff says an investigation into stolen house shingles took a bizarre turn when it was determined the suspect swapped the shingles for drugs.

According to the Sheriff, deputies began investigating the shingle theft after several bundles were reported stolen at a home construction site on Sally’s Branch Road.

Investigators were able to track the theft back to 44-year-old John E. Lewis, who reportedly admitted he had taken the shingles to a neighboring county where he traded them for meth.

Lewis was charged Thursday with theft by unlawful taking.