Members of the Maries County Sheriff's Office and the Lake Area Narcotics Enforcement Group executed a search warrant on Highway 63 near Vienna. During the course of the search Sheriff Deputies located: a large scale and sophisticated methamphetamine lab, numerous items of drug paraphernalia, suspected methamphetamine, several weapons; and several thousand rounds of ammunition. Sheriff's Deputies arrested James E. Czeschin age 28 of Bland, Chelsey M. Evans age 20 of Holts Summit, and Lacy Higginbotham age 21 of Chamois.
Czeschin had two outstanding felony warrants, one out of Maries County for possession of controlled substance with no bond, and one out of Osage County for Tampering also with no bond.
The residence where the methamphetamine lab is located is rented by Mitchell J. Krieg age 27 of Vienna, who has an outstanding warrant out of Maries County. Krieg was not located at the residence, and is now also wanted for questioning about the methamphetamine lab.
Czeschin is being held in the Maries County Jail on his outstanding warrants and is facing additional felony charges for attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of controlled substance, and felon in possession of a firearm. Higginbotham is being held in the Maries County Jail for possession of controlled substance, and Evans is being held in Maries County Jail for unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.
"This was a very sophisticated methamphetamine lab. The suspects had altered outbuildings with exhaust fans, and cut holes in table to securely hold components of the methamphetamine lab."
The Maries County Sheriff's Office will continue to stand strong on our zero tolerance drug policy.