By Mark Laflamme,Staff Writer

LEWISTON – A man and woman were indicted Tuesday on charges that they operated a methamphetamine lab out of their Sabattus Street apartment earlier this year.

Louis Rubino, 25, and his girlfriend, 23-year-old Donna Pagnani, are each expected to appear in court for arraignment on Thursday.

Both have remained jailed since late January when police raided their home and said they found evidence that the pair had been cooking and selling meth.

In the indictments handed up Tuesday, Rubino and Pagnani were each charged with drug trafficking, reckless conduct and endangering the welfare of a child. Investigators said the couple had been manufacturing meth out of their 624 Sabattus St. apartment while living there with their 3-year-old daughter.

In the court documents released Tuesday, Rubino and Pagnani are accused of “allowing the child to reside in the apartment that was being used to manufacture methamphetamine which involves the use of toxic, volatile and explosive chemicals.”

Rubino was indicted on an additional charge of conspiracy to traffic in drugs. According to the indictment, he is accused of providing equipment, including a 400-pound tank of ammonia, to an Auburn man for use in the manufacture of meth.

The case first came to the attention of police when a local person reported getting sick on drugs provided by Rubino, investigators said.

The case against the pair was investigated by local police, state drug agents and members of a federal task force. Lewiston police have said more arrests are possible as the probe continues.

Rubino has a long criminal history in the Lewiston-Auburn area, including convictions for assault, indecent conduct and thefts, according to court records. He has been arrested numerous times in both Lewiston and Auburn.

Pagnani has a prior criminal history, including convictions for theft, disorderly conduct, possessing marijuana and possessing drug paraphernalia.

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