UPDATE: Two Men Awaiting Preliminary Hearings After Meth Lab Bust in Sigel

ELDRED TWP., Pa. (EYT) – Two men are awaiting preliminary hearings after a suspected meth lab was discovered in the Sigel area, in Eldred Township, Jefferson County.

Court documents indicate criminal charges were filed against 31-year-old Keith M. Carrier, of Sigel, and 29-year-old Daniel Marc Clark, of Somerset.

According to a criminal complaint, around 9:45 a.m. on March 3, police were informed that Keith M. Carrier purchased Pseudoephedrine in the borough of Brookville. Shortly afterwards, police were able to verify that Carrier and Daniel Marc Clark made separate purchases of sodium hydroxide, liquid petroleum fuel, and sulfuric acid, which are precursors used to manufacture Methamphetamine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance. It was learned that the pair were traveling in a Ford Sedan.

The complaint states that police responded to Carrier’s residence at 6656 Route 36, in Sigel, and verified that the Ford Sedan previously mentioned was parked in the driveway at the residence. When police knocked on the door, no one answered it, but four people eventually exited the residence. They were identified as Carrier, Clark, and two known females.

Carrier cooperated with the police and allegedly showed them where several of the precursors were located inside the garage. Carrier indicated that sodium hydroxide, lithium, and ammonium nitrate were being stored together in a plastic shopping bag, and police located the plastic bag behind a mattress inside the garage and secured those items. Carrier also pointed out sulfuric acid and liquid petroleum fuel that was also inside the garage and that he burned other items in the back yard of the property. With the discovery of suspected Methamphetamine precursors, a complete search of the property was necessary, the complaint indicates.

The property owner agreed to a search of the property for items used in the manufacture of Methamphetamine. Police found sodium hydroxide, sodium chloride, liquid petroleum fuel, sulfuric acid, lithium, and ammonium nitrate inside the garage. A clear plastic bottle containing a clear and pink bi-layer liquid – an active “One Pot” system – was also discovered in the garage, and if mishandled, police say the mixture could result in an explosion. Additional ammonium nitrate was found inside the house, as well, the complaint continues.

Police placed Carrier under arrest and provided him with his Miranda Warnings.

Carrier allegedly told police the mixture inside the bottle was being used to manufacture Methamphetamine, and that he began the chemical reaction prior to their arrival. The suspected “One Pot” was rendered safe by the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab response team at the scene, according to the complaint.

The response team also collected a suspected partially burned “One Pot” and other known precursors from the fire pit located on the property. Additionally, a brown paper napkin containing a hand-written “recipe” for “cooking” Methamphetamine was present inside the garage, the complaint continues.

Daniel Marc Clark had been Carrier’s house guest for approximately 24 hours before the incident, and police found several papers with Clark’s information inside a bedroom during a search of the house. Police say it is believed that Clark was fully aware of his actions when he and Carrier began to purchase the necessary precursors to manufacture Methamphetamine, the complaint states.

Carrier and Clark were arraigned on March 7 in front of District Magistrate Gregory M. Bazylak.

Carrier faces the following charges:

• Conspiracy – Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Possession Red Phosphorus, etc. w/Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substances, Felony
• Deposits, stores, disposes chemical waste, Felony 3
• Knowingly possessing ephedrine, Misdemeanor
• Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
• Risking Catastrophe, Felony 3

Unable to post $100,000.00 bail, Carrier was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.

Clark faces the following offenses:

• Conspiracy – Possession Red Phosphorus, etc. w/ Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substances, Felony
• Possession Red Phosphorus, etc. w/ Intent to Manufacture Controlled Substances, Felony
• Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
• Deposits, stores, disposes chemical waste, Felony 3 (two counts)

Unable to post $150,000.00 monetary bail, Clark was lodged in the Jefferson County Jail.

Both men face preliminary hearings at 2:00 p.m. on April 28 in front of Judge Bazylak.

In response to the Sigel meth lab bust, Jefferson County District Attorney, Jeff Burkett, stated, “I am so proud of the efforts of my Jefferson County Drug Task Force for moving on this lab so quickly. Once we received the information that kick-started this investigation, quick, decisive action was necessary because the events unfolded rapidly. My County Detective, Guy Felmlee, spearheaded this effort and coordinated a response from multiple agencies in a very short period of time. Thanks go out to all involved, including the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, as well as the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team.”