Four Plead Guilty To Crimes Connected To Two Hash Oil Manufacturing Explosions
SEATTLE - Four men charged in July 2014 with two separate hash oil explosions pleaded guilty last week in U.S. District Court in Seattle. The charges relate to explosions in Bellevue on November 5, 2013, and in Kirkland on January 1, 2014. Sentencing hearings for the defendants are scheduled for March 2015.
Daniel James Strycharske, 28, and Jesse D. Kaplan, 31, pleaded guilty on November 26, 2014, to endangering human life while manufacturing controlled substances, maintaining a drug involved premises and manufacturing hash oil and marijuana in connection with the Bellevue explosion and fire on November 5, 2013 at the Hampton Greens apartment complex. Former Bellevue Mayor Nan Campbell was hospitalized for a broken pelvis she suffered trying to escape the flames. She later died following complications after her hospitalization. Two other apartment residents suffered shattered bones as they had to jump from their upper level apartments.
Robby Wayne Meiser, 46, and Bruce W. Mark, 62, pleaded guilty on November 25, 2014, to endangering human life while manufacturing controlled substances in connection with the January 1, 2014, explosion and fire at the Inglenook Apartments in Kirkland. The explosion and fire threw debris some 25 feet, moved the north wall of the building 6-8 inches, and disconnected the roof from the building walls.
The charge of endangering human life while manufacturing controlled substances is punishable by up to ten years in prison. Maintaining a drug involved premises is punishable by up to 20 years in prison and manufacturing hash oil and marijuana is punishable by up to five years in prison.
The cases were investigated by multiple local and federal agencies including: the Drug Enforcement (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bellevue Police Department, the Seattle Police Department, and the Kirkland Police Department.
