A 56-year-old Hutchinson man made a court appearance Thursday morning on a charges including possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell or distribute within a 1,000 feet of a school.

Robert Tharp of 817 North Maple St., Apt A is also charged with possession of psuedo-ephedrine with intent to manufacture, possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container, and no tax stamp.

The Reno County Drug Enforcement Unit served a search warrant on his apartment where they allege they found an active meth lab. They say there was a plastic bottle that contained a pinkish grunge that also tested positive for ammonia. There were also allegedly several containers that also contained clear liquids.

Officers say on Tharps person were 9-individual baggies of a white powder suspected of being meth. In the bathroom, were four new blister packs of Psuedo-ephedrine.

Tharp allegedly admitted to officers that he in the middle of making meth and had the meth on his person. His residence is within a 1,000 feet of Faris Elementary school.

In court, he requested a reduction of his 125-thousand dollar bond. That was denied by Magistrate Judge Randy McEwen.

He’ll be back in court on May 30, or whenever the state files formal charges.

Tharp has two prior convictions involving the manufacture of meth, one going back to 1985, and the other in 2000. He was discharged from prison back in March of 2008.