JACKSON (WNE) — Two defendants in an alleged meth production case will appear in Teton County Circuit Court for preliminary hearings early next week.

The two men — Timothy Ritter, 43, and William “Ian” Whipple, 52 — were arrested Dec. 16 for the alleged production of methamphetamine in an East Jackson home.

Ritter’s hearing is Dec. 28, and Whipple’s is Dec. 27. At their hearings, Teton County Circuit Court Judge James Radda will assess if there’s enough evidence for the state to proceed in its cases against the two men.

In the meantime, both men are out on bail.

Ritter and Whipple’s arrest is the result of an investigation undertaken by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigations, which accelerated Nov. 10 when one of the men was arrested on an active warrant while possessing two precursors, or ingredients used to make methamphetamine, an affidavit states.

That led officers to a residence on the 700 block of Pearl Avenue, where officers found meth and ingredients used to cook meth as well as text messages alluding to the production of meth between Ritter and Whipple.

Ritter is facing two felony charges: conspiracy to produce methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance precursor. Each charge carries a maximum of 20 years in jail and a $25,000 fine, according to a court document filed Dec. 15.

Whipple faces the same charges as well as felony possession of more than three grams of methamphetamine, which carries a maximum 7-year sentence and a $15,000 fine.