Centre County man accused of making meth in State College-area home
A Centre County man was charged Monday after investigators said he manufactured methamphetamine inside his State College-area home, which he described as a “drug house.”
David L. Ott, 60, of College Township, is accused of making meth at his home on the 700 block of Linden Hall Road. He’s facing three felonies, including a count of operating a meth lab.
A State College police detective said in an affidavit of probable cause that officers discovered the lab in January 2025 while investigating a bicycle theft. Four other people inside the home when officers tried to serve a search warrant appeared to be trying to hide in the attic, police wrote.
Investigators then found items used to produce meth and other drug paraphernalia. The Pennsylvania State Police removed 13 items from the home, all of which the detective said were consistent with a “one-pot methamphetamine lab.”
Ott was not immediately charged because police said he expressed an interest in assisting with other investigations. During a follow-up interview with the detective, Ott said people were staying at his house and would not leave.
He said his home was a “drug house,” but that he did not want it to be one any longer. Ott said he knew who was making meth in the home, police said he did not specify who. The meth lab was located in his bedroom, police wrote.
In November, the detective said he questioned Ott about why he had not been in contact despite saying he planned to cooperate with investigators. Ott allegedly responded that two men had given him meth for free.
A further search of the home revealed drug paraphernalia and substances that tested positive for meth, police wrote. No defense lawyer was listed.
Ott is also facing misdemeanor counts of knowingly possessing ephedrine, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arraigned Monday by District Judge Gregory Koehle, who released him on $10,000 unsecured bail.
His preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 25.