Five Gogebic Co. meth lab suspects ID’d
Names and charges have been released in a Gogebic Iron Area Narcotics Team (G.I.A.N.T.) bust of two meth labs and arrests of five people.
Wendy Hemmings, 40, is charged with three counts of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab. Each of those counts is a 20 year felony. She is also charged with one count of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab within 500 feet of a residence, another 20 year felony; and one count of Possession of Meth, a ten year felony. Hemmings is in custody in the Gogebic County Jail. Her bond is set at $150,000 cash.
George Davis, 59, is also charged with three counts of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab. He is charged with one count of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab within 500 feet of a residence, and one count of Possession of Meth. He is lodged in the Gogebic County Jail with a bond set at $150,000 cash.
Kristin Carter, 31, is charged with one count of Operating/ Maintaining a Meth lab, one count of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab within 500 feet of residence, and one count of Possession of Meth. She is also lodged in the Gogebic County Jail on a $125,000 cash bond.
Hemmings, Davis and Carter were arrested after a search warrant was executed at about 1:30 a.m. Monday at a home on Florence Street in Ironwood.
At about 7 a.m. Monday, another G.I.A.N.T meth bust took place at a home on River Street in Ramsey, Michigan.
Cindi Christensen, 34, is charged with two counts of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab. Both of those charges are 20 year felonies. She is also charged with one count of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab within 500 feet of a residence, another 20 year felony, and one count of Possession of Meth, a ten year felony. Christensen is lodged in the Gogebic County Jail. Her bond is set at $165,000 cash.
Joel Graser Jr., 35, is also charged with two counts of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab, one count of Operating/Maintaining a Meth lab within 500 feet of a residence and one count of Possession of Meth. His is also lodged in the Gogebic County Jail on a $165,000 cash bond.
In both incidents, G.I.A.N.T. officers were assisted by UPSET (Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team.) Officers collected numerous components used to manufacture meth, meth, and other items. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration policies require that certified hazardous waste response team remove lab components and chemicals. The chemicals are then disposed of by certified waste removal companies.
Two of the neighbors were evacuated due to the propensity of a fire; firefighters were called on scene and remained in standby until the lab was deemed safe.
G.I.A.N.T. team officers expect that there is a potential for additional charges and arrests, pending further investigation.
With both incidents, G.I.A.N.T. officers were assisted by the UPSET team. Officers collected meth, components used to manufacture meth and other items.
G.I.A.N.T. officers expect there is a potential for additional charges and arrests, pending further investigations