MARION COUNTY — Bail was set at $150,000 Friday for a 30-year-old Patoka man formally charged in Marion County Court today with the manufacture of methamphetamine near a church.
Brenton Beard remains in the Marion County Jail charged with aggravated manufacture of meth within 1,000 feet of a house of worship – a Class X felony, and possession of meth manufacturing material – a Class 2 felony.
Marion County Sheriff’s deputies responding to a suspicious vehicle call reportedly noted a strong odor and found Beard behind the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Salem.
Deputies then stopped Beard’s vehicle, and reportedly noticed several items used in the manufacture of meth. When questioned, Beard allegedly confirmed there was a meth lab in the vehicle and he was arrested without incident. The Illinois State Police Meth Response Team was called to clean up the vehicle.
If Beard is able to post $15,000 cash bond, special conditions of release require he abstain from drugs, alcohol, and non-prescribed medication, and to submit to random testing.
He is scheduled for a November 22nd first appearance with his court appointed attorney.