Meth lab found in camper near Coralville Lake

JOHNSON COUNTY - A North Liberty man admitted to having a meth lab in his camper when police were investigating another crime.

According to Johnson County Sheriff's Office criminal complaints, on Aug. 17, deputies went to a campsite at 4028 W. Overlook Road near the Coralville Lake as part of a credit card theft investigation. That investigation resulted in the camper's occupant, 22-year-old Michael J. Vogel, being taken into custody.

Police said when Vogel was being placed under arrest, he said there was a meth lab inside his camper. The Johnson County Drug Task Force was called to the campsite and located meth and suspected meth ingredients inside the trailer. The items were sent to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation crime lab, which confirmed the items were meth, pseudoephedrine and lye.

Vogel admitted that he had purchased the pseudoephedrine to make meth, police said. He now faces charges of controlled substance violation, a Class B felony; possession of pseudoephedrine, a Class D felony; and possession of a controlled substance precursor, a Class D felony.

If convicted, Vogel could spend up to 35 years in prison.