An Austin man will make his first appearance in Mower County Third Judicial District Court later this month on charges in connection with the discovery of a methamphetamine lab in Austin.

Sunday, June 03, 2001

An Austin man will make his first appearance in Mower County Third Judicial District Court later this month on charges in connection with the discovery of a methamphetamine lab in Austin.

Jamie Lee Schammel of 600 11th Ave. SW will answer charges in connection with the meth lab police found at 1009 11th Ave. SW.

Already in custody is Troy Alan Meyer, 34, of Austin, who has been charged with felony unintentional murder in the second degree, plus seven other counts.

James Erick Chilson died of injuries suffered in a flash fire at the southwest Austin residence in January.

Schammel suffered serious burn injuries in the same explosion and was hospitalized until his release a month ago.

The meth lab was discovered by "accident," when an Austin police officer drove into the alley behind the residence to visit with three friends who lived nearby.

While the men were visiting in the alley, they heard a window break and yelling from the residence at 1009 11th Ave. SW.

Neighbors had long reported suspicious activities at the residence and those suspicions were confirmed early in the morning of Jan. 13.

The police officer went to the residence and immediately smelled unusual chemical odors as well as smoke billowing from the house.

A woman and her 4-year-old son were seen leaving the front door of the residence in a hurry. Moments later, a naked man, identified as Chilson, emerged from the house.

Two other men, one identified as Schammel, left the house by a rear door.

When Austin firefighters arrived and brought the fire under control, they discovered a methamphetamine lab in the basement.

Later, a state fire marshal’s office investigation would conclude an ash tray, containing lit cigarettes, was left near a floor drain in the basement, where flammable chemicals were being poured after the occupants saw the police car parked in the alley and suspected a raid was about to take place.

Austin police initiated an aggressive investigation into the flash fire and discovery of a methamphetamine lab and by the end of the day on Jan. 13, police had everyone in custody.

The house at 1009 11th Ave. SW was occupied by Chilson and a woman with a child. The woman was not charged.

According to the criminal complaint, Meyer supervised the making of methamphetamine drugs at the residence. After remaining at large for a while, Meyer voluntarily turned himself in to Austin police.

Schammel, whose role has never been clearly defined, but who the criminal complaint indicated assisted Meyer and Chilson in creating the drug, was hospitalized also at Regions Hospital’s burn unit in St. Paul after being taken into custody Jan. 13.

Another man who visited the residence the evening and early morning of the flash fire explosion was not injured and was not charged.

Schammel is slated to make his first appearance in court at 3 p.m. June 22.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.