By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

A 43-year-old Helena man is being held in the Shelby County Jail on a $250,000 bond after he was arrested on Nov. 8 and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine.

The Shelby County Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested Michael Gregory Arndt and charged him with one count of first-degree unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance at his residence in the 1600 block of Shelby County 277, which is west of Helena near the Shelby County-Jefferson County line.

According to Arndt’s arrest warrant in Shelby County District Court, “a clandestine laboratory operation was to take place or did take place within 500 feet of a residence, place of business, church or school.” The warrant further reads the alleged “clandestine laboratory operation actually produced any amount of a specified controlled substance, to-wit methamphetamine.”

The warrant listed a June 26 offense date.

First-degree unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance is a Class A felony. If convicted of the crime, Arndt could face between 10-99 years in prison.