WILLMAR -- Matthew David Hood, 33, of New London was arraigned Wednesday on four felony drug charges related to a mobile methamphetamine lab found by law enforcement Aug. 1 in Svea.
Judge Donald M. Spilseth set unconditional bail at $100,000 and conditional bail at $75,000. Conditions include that Hood have no contact with Jason M. Larson and another man who was allegedly involved with the mobile meth lab.
Hood is facing a first-degree drug charge for manufacturing meth and a first-degree drug conspiracy charge for manufacturing meth plus charges of possession of meth precursors with the intent to manufacture the drug and a fifth-degree drug possession charge for not a small amount of marijuana.
According to the criminal complaint, a Kandiyohi County sheriff's deputy was on patrol around 2:40 a.m. Aug. 1 in Svea and observed a vehicle parked between two semi trucks. Two male occupants of a car ran into the woods after the deputy turned his spotlight on the vehicle, but a third individual, later identified as Larson, stayed with the car and seemed like he didn't know where to go, the complaint states. One of the men who ran was later identified as Hood.
Deputies used the county K-9 unit to check the car after they observed a strange odor coming from the vehicle. The dog signaled that he detected something in two areas: an open door to the car and the trunk. The deputies, along with CEE-VI Drug Task Force agents, searched the car and found numerous items used in meth making, including ephedrine pills, muriatic acid, a coffee pot and grinder. They also found a rifle, meth pipe, a digital scale, baggies and a bag of marijuana in the vehicle.
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After Larson was arrested, he admitted to officers that he had cooked meth five times since March, and that the largest batch was 70 grams, according to the complaint. He also admitted that the men were on their way to get anhydrous ammonia to cook another batch when they were apprehended by officers in Svea. He told officers the other two men were involved in the plans to manufacture methamphetamine.
Hood's next court appearance is set for Aug. 27.
