Island Lake man charged with running McHenry Co. meth lab

An Island Lake man was behind bars at the McHenry County jail Thursday, accused of running a clandestine methamphetamine lab out of a friend's home, even at times a small child was present.

Nicholas C. Wetzel, 37, of the 27600 block of North Oak Street, faces eight felony charges in all after a five-week narcotics investigation came to an end Wednesday after, McHenry County Sheriff's police said, he sold methamphetamines to an undercover officer.

The deal led investigators to a home in Wonder Lake, where they found chemicals, jars, traces of methamphetamine and other evidence the highly addictive stimulant was being made in the residence, sheriff's Sgt. John Koziol said.

Among the charges filed Thursday was methamphetamine-related child endangerment, a Class 2 felony alleging Wetzel exposed a child to a methamphetamine manufacturing environment.

"The chemicals involved are not illegal per se, but when you mix them together you get noxious fumes in the air and you could cause an explosion," Koziol said. "That's a dangerous situation not only for a child, but for anyone."

Sheriff's police Thursday did not have the age of the child, but said the minor is not related to Wetzel.

A hazardous materials team contracted through the Illinois State Police and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration was on the scene Wednesday removing the dangerous items from the home. The chemicals, Koziol said, did not present a threat to neighbors.

Other charges against Wetzel include unlawful participation in methamphetamine manufacturing, unlawful possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials, unlawful possession of anhydrous ammonia, unlawful possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. If convicted of the most serious charges, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

Wetzel appeared in court Thursday, where a judge set bail at $125,000, meaning he needs to post $12,500 cash to go free while the case is pending. He is scheduled to return to court Jan. 29.