IRON MOUNTAIN – The cases against two defendants accused of operating a methamphetamine lab on the north side of Iron Mountain are progressing through Dickinson County Circuit Court.

Anita Lindlbauer, 32, of Iron Mountain has pleaded not guilty to felony counts of delivery or manufacture methamphetamine, operating or maintaining a methamphetamine lab, and possession of methamphetamine.

A pre-trial conference in the matter is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Lindlbauer’s co-defendant, 42-year-old Dennis Schuirmann of Kingsford, had a pre-trial conference on the same charges. Dickinson County Prosecutor Lisa Richards said that Schuirmann is now scheduled for a re-arraignment and possible plea hearing on Dec. 15.

Delivery or manufacture of methamphetamine and operating or maintaining a methamphetamine lab each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Possession of methamphetamine carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

The charges stem from an Oct. 2 incident in Iron Mountain.

Acting on a tip, Iron Mountain Police Department officers responded to an apartment building located at 501 Pewabic Street to investigate a suspected methamphetamine lab. They found and seized various ingredients used to manufacture methamphetamine, as well as suspected finished methamphetamine.

The criminal complaint states that Lindlbauer lived in the apartment, and that she allegedly admitted that she knowingly supplied materials for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Schuirmann allegedly admitted that he had been manufacturing methamphetamine in the apartment, and that the finished methamphetamine, chemicals, and equipment belonged to him, the complaint said.

Nikki Younk’s e-mail address is nyounk@ironmountaindailynews.com.