Investigation by Decorah Police and other police departments leads to multiple charges against a Waukon man

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Iowa has announced that 41-year-old Chad Root has been indicted on four criminal charges in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids.

Charges of possession firearms as a felon, attempting to manufacture methamphetamine, conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of pseudoephedrine have been filed against Root.  The charges follow an investigation by the Iowa Division of Narcotcis Enforcement, the Iowa State Patrol, the Decorah Police Department, the Waukon Police Department, the Postville Police Department, the Monona Police Department and the Allamakee County Sheriff's Department.

The indictment filed against Root alleges he possessed ten different firearms, including one with an obliterated serial number.  Root has been convicted of several felony charges, including Second Degree Burglary, Possession of Burglary Tools, Attempted Second Degree Burglary, Unauthorized Possession of Offensive Weapons, Possession of a Firearm as a Felon and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver.

Root is accused of manufacturing methamphetamine for about one year prior to being arrested following a search of Root's home late in April.  The complaint claims Root had an active "one-pot" methamphetamine lab in his possession at the time the search warrant was served.

If convicted, Root faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, a possible maximum sentence of life in prison, a fine of up to $8,000, $400 in special assessments and at least 8 years and up to a lifetime term of supervised release following any imprisonment.

A trial on the charges is scheduled for September 9th in Cedar Rapids.