Former Bellevue Resident Whose Hash Oil Extraction Caused Explosion, Fire & Death Sentenced To Nine Years In Prison
SEATTLE - The man who touched off a devastating Bellevue apartment fire with his illegal hash oil manufacturing was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to nine years in prison. David Richard Schultz II, 33, was using highly explosive butane gas to make hash oil in the Hampton Greens Apartment complex on November 5, 2013. The gas exploded and numerous people in the apartment complex were injured fleeing the fire. One of them, a former Mayor of Bellevue, died following treatment for injuries sustained while trying to escape the building. Schultz was arrested nine months later in a California motel, again with the explosive gas used to make hash oil.
According to records filed in the case, three people were charged in connection with the Bellevue explosion and fire on November 5, 2013. 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. In all the fire caused $2 million in property damage.
In court today, one of Nan Campbell’s daughters, Anne Campbell Spangler told the court about the loss of her vibrant and involved mother because of a selfish and thoughtless act. Patty Campbell read a letter from another victim of the explosion who was unable to travel to attend the court hearing. The letter describes how the young middle school teacher had to jump from a third floor balcony to escape the flames, shattering her bones - leaving her legs “like Legos.” The young woman described her month in a nursing home, her ongoing pain, and how she will never be able to run or play soccer again. The fire destroyed her belongings including irreplaceable scrapbooks and childhood photos.
Two other defendants, Daniel James Strycharske, 29, and Jesse D. Kaplan, 32, will be sentenced in July. The two men rented the apartment and allowed Schultz to set up the BHO manufacturing equipment in their space. The men planned to sell the BHO for profit. All three men suffered injuries in the explosion.
This case was investigated by multiple local and federal agencies, including: the Drug Enforcement (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bellevue Police and Fire Departments.
