Five arrested after fire, meth lab discovery

IOWA CITY - Police have arrested five people in connection with an Iowa City methamphetamine lab that exploded Monday morning and reignited in the afternoon.

Fire crews were dispatched to 2470 Lakeside Drive, Apt. 8, around 9:30 a.m. for a report of smoke. During the course of the investigation, crews did not find any flames, but determined the smoke was likely related to a meth lab.

After the initial fire had been extinguished and fire crews left the area, the lab reignited around 1:30 p.m. while special drug task force officers were on scene investigating, triggering another visit from the fire department.

According to criminal complaints, police said Jessica L. Plummer, 24, the apartment's tenant, was allegedly inside the apartment Monday morning when an explosion occurred during the meth manufacturing process. Witnesses told officers they saw Plummer assisting others in removing items from the apartment and fleeing before police and firefighters arrived.

Police said Mark A. Poggenpohl, 27, of Hills later admitted he was cooking the meth that exploded. Police found Poggenpohl's sweatshirt on the scene which had residue left from the fire extinguisher used to put out the fire.

Further investigation led task force members to 3734 Lower West Branch Road in Iowa City. Police said an undercover officer was allowed entry into the home where they found items which appeared to be taken from the lab on Lakeside Drive. One person who lives at the residence, Veronica Collins, 26, was arrested after she allegedly attempted to conceal a bag of meth from officers.

Two other individuals at the residence - James T. Johnston, 27, of Coralville and Nicholas T. Nash, 30, of Washington - were found in possession of meth during a search of the premises.

Plummer and Poggenpohl were charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony. Collins and Johnston were charged with possession of a controlled substance, a serious misdemeanor. Nash was charged with possession of a controlled substance – second offense, an aggravated misdemeanor.

All five are being held in Johnson County Jail. Plummer and Poggenpohl are being held on separate $25,000 cash only bonds. Nash is being held on a $5,000 cash only bond, while Johnston and Collins are being held on separate $2,500 cash only bonds.