A 40-year-old River Falls man is facing multiple felony charges related to drugs seized from his vehicle and home during a search warrant executed by the St. Croix Valley Drug Task Force.

Kyle B. Rithmiller posted a $50,000 signature bond Oct. 13 in Pierce County Circuit Court on felony possess with intent amphetamine/methamphetamine, felony maintain drug trafficking place, felony possession of improvised explosives, possess amphetamine/LSD/psilocin, neglecting a child (specified harm did not occur) and possession of THC.

If convicted, the maximum penalty is fines up to $100,000 and/or 25 years in prison.

Rithmiller’s girlfriend, Kendra Allyse Buettner, 33, Minneapolis was arrested Saturday, Oct. 14 and posted a $50,000 signature bond Oct. 16 in Pierce County Circuit Court on felony possess with intent amphetamine/methamphetamine, felony possession of narcotic drugs (two counts) and possess drug paraphernalia charges.

According to the complaint:

A River Falls investigator and a St. Croix Valley Drug Task Force member, assisted by a Pierce County investigator, searched trash from 1552 E. Division St., River Falls after a trash pickup at 8:15 a.m. Oct. 3. Inside they found two broken glass smoking devices that tested positive for meth, a plastic bag with purple residue that tested positive for meth and fentanyl, tinfoil with burnt residue, mail addressed to Rithmiller, a shopping list with “baggies” on it and a set of two keys.

At 6 a.m. Oct. 12, a search warrant for narcotics was executed at 1552 E. Division St. The only person home was a juvenile, who was allowed to collect clothing; police transported him to a safe location.

In Rithmiller and Buettner’s bedroom, officers located four packages of THC edibles, 1.7 grams of meth, several drug paraphernalia items and LSD in a nightstand. Police found more meth in the garage, along with an illegally manufactured “M” type explosive firework; ATF told police to soak it in water

Before the warrant was executed, other officers observed Rithmiller at 5:56 a.m. driving is Ram 1500 away from his residence. He was pulled over at Main Street and Highway 65 and placed under arrest. Officers located an unused needle in his front pants pocket, a zipper pouch containing a white crystal substance and a large amount of cash. The truck was taken to the city impound lot and secured.

Rithmiller told police all the drugs belong to Buettner, including the 35 grams of meth found in his vehicle. He also said the majority of drugs could be found in a cabinet in the garage. He blamed police for his methamphetamine use after being arrested for a domestic incident. He was transported to Pierce County Jail.

A status conference is slated for 1:15 p.m. Nov. 13 at Pierce County Courthouse.