Three Charged In Verona Island Meth Bust, Child Removed From Home

Three people face charges after police broke up a methamphetamine lab on Verona Island.

Craig Kneeland, 27, of Verona Island is charged with aggravated operation of a methamphetamine laboratory and violation of conditions of release.  Jami Cass, 28, of Verona Island and Chandler Levesque, 22, of Bucksport also were charged with endangering the welfare of a child as a result of the investigation.

Police received information Tuesday that Kneeland had been making methamphetamine at his Bridges Road mobile home, according to a news release. Agents also  learned that the mobile home that Kneeland lived in had been the scene of a fire, although the fire department was never called. The making of meth can be highly flammable, police said.

Kneeland shared his residence with Cass and Levesque who are the parents of a five-year-old child, who also lived there.

Early Tuesday afternoon, agents located Kneeland leaving a local hardware store after he bought muriatic acid and Lithium batteries, both ingredients used to make meth.  Agents then brought Kneeland back to his home, which was searched.   Agents found methamphetamine as well as items and ingredients consistent with the making of meth and a loaded .357 handgun. Agents also found 33 plastic bottles that had been used to make Methamphetamine.

After the arrest, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services responded to the home and the child was provided with alternative living arrangements.