Houston man held for threatening trooper, other charges pending

The owner of a Houston-based septic disposal business was arrested on Dec. 7 on a charge of assault three on a peace officer.

About noon on Dec. 7, Alaska State Troopers -- in conjunction with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, the federal Environmental Protection gency, Palmer Police, Wasilla Police, and the Drug Enforcement Agency – served a search warrant and arrest warrant on Kenneth Champ, 48, of Houston, at a residence on Bench Lake Road.

The Associated Press in Anchorage reported that Champ, the owner of Champ Septic Pumping in Houston, called 911 on Sept. 26 and during the call made several threats against Alaska State Trooper Matthew Heleren after Heleren had knocked on Champs door and stated he wanted to ask about possible illegal dumping. AP and the Anchorage Daily News reported that after serving the search warrant on Champ on Dec. 7, they also found evidence of a massive marijuana-growing operation, and that documents filed in federal court state that the search found 1,700 marijuana plants, grow lights, a watering system, processed marijuana, five guns and about $18,000 in cash.

Troopers said Champ was being held on $25,000 bail in the Mat-Su Pre-Trial Facility on the charge of threatening a peace officer and pending further federal charges for misconduct involving a controlled substance and misconduct involving weapons.