By Sara Strong
The Rock County Sheriff's Department stopped an apparent drug manufacturer Friday, July 19, near the state border by Valley Springs, S.D.
Local law enforcement worked with Minnehaha County in South Dakota to arrest Cory Kelderman, 29, rural Rock County.
His home contained numerous items used to manufacture methamphetamine, and in excess of six grams of a substance consistent with the drug. The substance is being analyzed to confirm that it is meth.
Kelderman will be charged with manufacturing meth, conspiracy to manufacture meth and possession - all of which are felonies.
If convicted, Kelderman could be jailed for 86 months.
Rock County Sheriff Ron McClure said, "I feel my staff is really doing a good job. And this is a good opportunity to remind people that if they see things that look strange to give us a call."
McClure said it took some time to get enough evidence to obtain a search warrant.
Assistant Rock County Attorney Terry Vajgrt said months of effort were put into getting the warrant. "Law enforcement receives information all the time and it's useful, but just last week we had good, recent evidence," he said.
The state border between Rock County and South Dakota appears to be a hotbed of drug activity.
Vajgrt said, "It seems that in the last year and one-half, law enforcement has had a good deal of success in arresting individuals in that area."
Low rural rental prices, low traffic areas and access to Sioux Falls may contribute to the location's high incidence of drug labs.