Staff report

Investigators with the county and state found five one-pot meth labs at a home on China Grove Highway (N.C. 152) in Rockwell on Monday, within 1,000 feet of Rockwell Elementary School.

Two men were arrested.

The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the State Bureau of Investigation Southern Piedmont District and the SBI’s Clandestine Laboratory Response Team, executed a search warrant at 714 China Grove Highway.

Investigators discovered the “shake and bake” methamphetamine laboratories and four hydrochloric acid generators on the property. A small amount of finished methamphetamine was found in a bedroom of the residence. Christopher David Rathburn, 20, and Michael Manuel Flake, 33, both residents of the house, were arrested.

Rathburn was charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of an immediate precursor chemical, pseudoephedrine.

Flake was charged with manufacturing methamphetamine; possession of immediate precursor chemicals, lithium batteries and pseudoephedrine; maintaining a dwelling for keeping and selling controlled substances; possession of methamphetamine; possession of hydrocodone; and manufacturing methamphetamines within 1,000 feet of a school.

The home is also near The Meadows of Rockwell.

Secured bond for Flake was set at $60,000; secured bond for Rathburn was $20,000.

Flake has a previous misdemeanor conviction for sexual battery. Rathburn has a misdemeanor conviction for shoplifting.