By Lori Ehde
Authorities have seized the makings of a meth lab in rural Rock County after Menard's store officials in Sioux Falls reported a suspicious purchase.
Troy and Teresa Den Herder, ages 39 and 33 respectively, appeared in Rock County District Court Monday.
They have entered pleas of not guilty to charges of illegally manufacturing methamphetamines, attempting to manufacture methamphetamines and conspiring to manufacture methamphetamines.
According to information from the Rock County Attorney's Office, store officials at Menard's in Sioux Falls called police Feb. 14 when the couple purchased a suspicious quantity of products commonly used in the illegal production of methamphetamines.
They recorded the couple's car license plate number, which was traced to the Den Herders.
A search warrant executed Feb. 22 resulted in a number of items that appeared to have been used in the process of meth production.
The Den Herders were arrested and taken to the Nobles County Jail, Worthington. Teresa posted $3,500 bail, but Troy remains in custody under a $35,000 bond.
No amount of the actual finished product was seized, but law enforcement were pleased with the arrest.
"We're confident we interrupted the manufacturing of meth," said Assistant County Attorney Terry Vajgrt. "I consider it a success."
Troy Den Herder has a previous drug conviction on his record, possessing methamphetamines, for which he's already served a year in jail.
The maximum penalty for the charge of manufacturing meth is 30 years in prison, $1 million fine or both. Actual sentences are imposed based on a number of factors, including prior convictions.