Meth-lab suspect pleads innocent

The man accused of running a meth lab from a Columbia Falls trailer home pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Flathead County District Court.

Michael Rasmussen, 37, faces a felony charge of operation of an unlawful clandestine laboratory stemming from an April 11 search of a trailer home in a Columbia Falls RV Park that revealed a “pretty substantial red phosphorous meth lab,” according to Flathead County Sheriff Mike Meehan.

Acting on a tip from the manager of the Columbia Falls RV Park on the 1000 block of Third Avenue, where Rasmussen lives, authorities visited his residence, according to court documents.

Law officers immediately noticed the odor of chemicals coming from Rasmussen and his residence and observed a burnt orange-brown colored substance on the interior windows and on the exterior vent of the trailer.

When Rasmussen refused to consent to a search, officers obtained a search warrant and located a methamphetamine lab inside.

The manager told authorities he had observed Rasmussen bringing various chemicals into his trailer every few days over the past year, court documents state.

Wearing protective gear, law officers spent much of the next day clearing evidence from the trailer.

If convicted, Rasmussen could face 20 years in the Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine.