Man Indicted by Grand Jury on Assaulting Officer, Making Meth Charges

A man was indicted by a St. Charles County grand jury Feb. 15 on several charges related to a Jan. 29 Drug Task Force search of his mother’s home.

Thomas Rockenstein, 55, of the 1400 block of Prospect Lakes Drive near Wentzville, faces charges of assaulting an officer, manufacturing a controlled substance, possessing a controlled substance and possessing drug-related items.

St. Charles County Sheriff’s deputies were asked to check on the welfare of Rockenstein’s elderly mother Jan. 29. When they arrived, they found several items used to make methamphetamine in the home.

Deputies notified the St. Charles County Drug Task Force, which sent detectives to search the home.

Rockenstein, 55, pleaded guilty to several drug charges in April 2009. He received a 15-year sentence, but the sentence was suspended and Rockenstein was placed on five years probation.

Drug Task Force members said Rockenstein cooked meth in his elderly mother's house, exposing her to toxic fumes and the possibility of an explosion.

Police said as they were conducting the search, Rockenstein pulled up in the driveway and pulled out a folding knife and pointed it at an officer.

After being disarmed, Rockenstein told officers, “I wish you would have killed me. I’m going to jail forever,” according to court documents.

For more crime information on Wentzville Patch, see the following articles:

• Police: Man Nabbed For Making Meth Five Months After Lab Explosion Burned Woman
• Man Charged With Selling Heroin to Undercover Officer in Wentzville