by Dana Forsythe

watertown@wickedlocal.com

A Watertown man was�arraigned on charges following the discovery of a possible methamphetamine lab in�his Winter Street residence this week, according to�Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Kyle Tuschall, 31, of Watertown, was arraigned Monday in Waltham District Court on charges of assault & battery on a police officer, carrying a dangerous weapon (3 counts), and distributing methamphetamine. Waltham District Court Judge Tobin Harvey held the defendant on $5,000 cash bail with the condition of no drug use and subject to random drug screens.

His next court date is July 9 for a probable cause hearing.

�This investigation is a great example of the cooperative efforts of law enforcement agencies across all levels of government � federal DEA agents, Massachusetts State Police, the District Attorney�s Office and Watertown detectives and officers,� stated Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau. �This was a very serious situation that was quickly addressed by law enforcement to maintain the safety of Watertown.�

According to police, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Clandestine Lab Team executed a search warrant at 10 Winter Street in Watertown with assistance from the Watertown Police Department related to a possible methamphetamine lab inside a residence at that location on Friday, June 13.�The DEA Clandestine Lab Team is comprised of Special Agents, State Police Troopers and local law enforcement officers trained by DEA to detect and dismantle clandestine labs.

Evidence recovered at that location was consistent with the manufacturing of a class B substance (methamphetamine) and possession with intent to distribute a class B substance (methamphetamine).

According to Watertown Police Lt. Michael Lawn, Kyle Tuschall was taken into custody after he returned his apartment inside the two-family home and became �combative� when he saw law enforcement searching his belongings.Lawn said police got a tip from neighbors who noted an irregular smell coming from the apartment early last week.

"That led us to believe that they had some sort of clandestine lab set up and we observed the apartment for a few days before going in with a search warrant on Friday," Lawn said.

With the street blocked off on all access points, federal, state and local police, firemen and Haz-Mat officials filled the areas on Winter Street removing items from the house.

When Tuschall returned to the apartment on Friday and spotted police he tried to push his way into the house, Lawn said. According to Lawn, Tuschall was having a conversation with a law enforcement officer, who was explaining the investigation and search warrant execution that was underway at Tuschall�s residence. Police said Tuschall became upset and attempted to push past the officer, causing him to strike the officer. Tuschall was subsequently arrested for assault and battery on a law enforcement officer by Watertown Police. Three double edge knives were recovered from Tuschall�s person pursuant to a search after his arrest.

"We charged him with assault and battery on a police officer�and then�we found three double edged knives on his person," Lawn said.

The investigation was conducted by DEA Agents, Watertown Police and the Special Investigations Unit of the Middlesex District Attorney�s Office.

"The lab appeared to be a small set up, converting powerdered meth into its final, crystallized form," Lawn said.

On Friday, several residents commented as they gathered on Winter Street.

"This doesn�t happen here," said Watertown resident Melissa Santarpio.

An onlooker driving by commented that the situation was "disgusting."

Residents of 17 Winter Park stood on their balconies as they watched the chaos unfold below.

Robert Scudder of Watertown noted, "Well, it is Friday the 13th."

�I want to thank the members of the DEA Clandestine Lab Team, the Watertown Police, the MA State Police, and of the Search Warrant and Special Investigations Unit of our office for acting swiftly to contain and remove the threat caused by this drug lab,� said District Attorney Marian Ryan in a statement. �This was a very dangerous situation that was quickly defused by these trained professionals. These homemade labs are very dangerous, with the potential to cause great harm to those in the neighborhood. I appreciate the swift manner by which the threat was removed and our ability to keep the community safe.�

The prosecutor assigned to this case is Assistant District Attorney Graham Van Epps, of the MDAO Special Investigations Unit.

�Methamphetamine laboratories are inherently dangerous. They are extremely explosive and toxic. DEA has a highly trained team of agents who are experts at handling enforcement situations in these environments,� said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Ferguson in a statement. �We are committed to working with our state and local partners in combating these one-pot methamphetamine labs and keeping our communities free of these hazards.�