A combined narcotics enforcement team arrested four adults Monday, August 9, for operating a met…

By News Dept.

A combined narcotics enforcement team arrested four adults Monday, August 9, for operating a methamphetamine laboratory, as well as for assaulting a police officer.

Kent Bradley Miller, 34 and Connie Sue Popejoy, 39, were arrested following the execution of a search warrant at 1254 Gum Avenue, rural Wellman.

Miller was charged with manufacturing a schedule II controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine (a Class B felony) and assault on a peace officer (Class D felony). Officials said Miller attacked an officer with a chair when the officers entered to serve the search warrant.

Popejoy was charged with manufacturing or delivery of a scheduled II controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine (Class B felony) and child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor. Popejoy’s two small children, ages 2 and 4, were in the residence near the meth lab which contained a large tank filled with anhydrous ammonia. firearms, weapons, and cash also were found during the search.

Two others at the scene, Daniel Lee Purkeypile, 18 and Sharyle Fay Dennison, 39, were charged with possession of a controlled substance, specifically methamphetamine, a serious misdemeanor.

A Class B felony carried a maximum term of 25 years, a Class D, a term of up to five years and aggravated misdemeanor a term of up to two years. A serious misdemeanor is punishable by a mail sentence of not more than one year.

Officers involved were from the Washington-Louisa Narcotics Enforcement Team, Washington County Safety Center, Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Mt. Pleasant Correctional Facility, K-9 and State Fire Marshal’s office.