Two Indicted on Arson, Drug Charges in Meth Lab Explosion

Dale A. Lenze, 53, and Kyle W. Green, 24, were indicted by a St. Charles grand jury Sept. 14 on first-degree arson, making methamphetamine and charges.

Lenze also was indicted on a meth possession charge.

St. Charles County Drug Task Force detectives said a meth lab exploded in Lenze’s barn Sept. 3 in the 2400 block of Branch Lane in St. Charles County southwest of Wentzville. A woman’s legs and feet were severely burned and the barn caught fire.

Lenze told detectives he saw the fire in the upper portion of the barn and heard the woman “screaming in agonizing pain.”

He also told detectives he allowed Green and the woman stay in living quarters and make meth in the barn in exchange for a portion of finished meth.

St. Charles County detectives said Lenze and Green knew the dangers presented by making meth.

Lenze and Green both are being held at St. Charles County jail in lieu of $75,000 bonds.

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

• Wentzville Man Arrested on Meth Charges in O'Fallon
• Man Who Grew 89 Marijuana Plants in Basement Refuses to Turn Himself In