2 Reedsburg men charged after meth lab discovery

REEDSBURG, Wis. - Two Reedsburg men are facing felony drug charges after authorities discovered evidence of methamphetamine production at their rental home.

Police went to the home Monday with a search warrant and found clear plastic tubing, coffee filters, empty packs of Sudafed, empty battery shells and other items commonly used to make meth in the basement, according to court documents. They also discovered similar items in a garbage bag outside of the residence.

One of the men allegedly told police he had hurt his lungs and nearly melted his face while manufacturing the drug, the Baraboo News Republic reported.

Damon Przybylski, 34, was charged Wednesday with possessing meth production materials and intentionally disposing of methamphetamine waste. Roommate Jason Vanness, 35, was charged with maintaining a drug trafficking place and marijuana possession.

Investigators said they found a bag of marijuana in Vanness' bedroom and asked him about the materials found in the basement and on the curb. He allegedly told police that he had watched Przybylski make meth in the home multiple times, court documents said.

Przybylski allegedly told investigators he had tried to manufacture the drug 15 to 20 times with varied success and described several close calls.

"Damon said he never thought the production of methamphetamine was dangerous until about 2-3 days ago when he was making methamphetamine and the gas from part of the process hurt his lungs," a detective reported in court documents.

Court records don't indicate an attorney for either man. They're due in Sauk County Circuit Court on Friday.