MONROE — A man with a history of meth charges in the region, including those resulting from a pair of fires where he had been staying and allegedly cooking the drug, is facing more felony drug charges in Lafayette County,

Christopher W. Denning, 34, of Benton, has been charged with felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, felony maintaining a drug trafficking place, felony possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture methamphetamine, and felony possession of THC.

Denning has a long history of drug and other felony charges and his case highlights the hold meth has on residents, primarily of rural Wisconsin counties, according to Lafayette County Sheriff Reg Gill. While the major, deadly drug in cities is opiates, in western and rural Wisconsin, it continues to be methamphetamine.

“It’s just an awful drug, what it does to people,” he said.

In May of 2016, a fire at a hotel in Grant County led to injuries for a man and a child, according to officials. Denning and a woman were reportedly staying at the motel because their house burned down two days earlier — and a methamphetamine-making operation was found at that site as well, according to a press release at the time. Before the room’s occupants fled, they reportedly informed firefighters that the fire was accidental — and likely resulted from a lit cigarette. 

However, as deputies investigated, they uncovered what they described as an active methamphetamine- cooking lab. Shortly after the fire was extinguished, an Iowa County Sheriff’s deputy located the suspects’ vehicle and conducted a traffic stop. 

Denning, then 26, was a passenger in the vehicle, and sustained second- and third-degree burns on his legs and was subsequently transported to UW Hospital in Madison. A woman was driving, accompanied by her two children, then 12 and 14, who were also present in the motel room during the fire. The 12-year-old suffered minor burn injuries and both children were taken into custody by Iowa County Social Services and placed in temporary foster care. 

During the search, deputies found another one-pot meth lab within the vehicle and additional chemicals and supplies linked to meth production in the trunk. Investigators later discovered approximately 10 one-pot meth labs and discarded meth-making materials at their previous residence. 

Gill said that it is not uncommon for addicts like Denning, to return to the drug, even after long periods of incarceration or abstinence. Demming’s extensive criminal record in Wisconsin, includes convictions for disorderly conduct, domestic abuse, felony possession of meth precursors, felony manufacturing of methamphetamine, felony maintaining a drug trafficking place, felony possession of drug paraphernalia to manufacture methamphetamine — presence of child less than 14, and felony theft, among multiple misdemeanors.

Gill said while it is not as common for police to encounter homemade meth labs anymore — it is too easy to get on the street — the drug has risen in potency.

“It’s the drug issue we deal with the most,” said Gill. “Meth is such an incredibly addictive drug.”

Denning’s next appearance in Lafayette County Circuit Court is scheduled for Jan. 14 before Judge Jenna Gill. His bond was set at $7,500 but it is unclear if he has posted the bond.