MOUNT CARMEL - A dozen charges, including multiple felonies, have been filed against a borough couple for risking a catastrophe by operating a methamphetamine lab discovered in their home Tuesday afternoon.
Jason David Hunsinger, 33, and Kim L. Metcalf, 30, of 244 S. Beech St., are charged by Mount Carmel Sgt. Todd Owens and Patrolman Matthew Dillman with felonies of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine, operating a methamphetamine lab and risking a catastrophe, three felony counts of criminal conspiracy, three misdemeanor counts of criminal conspiracy, and misdemeanors of possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and recklessly endangering another person.
Hunsinger and Metcalf have not yet been arraigned on the charges, but remain incarcerated in Columbia County Prison in Bloomsburg for a probation violation and failing to appear for a court date, respectively.
The charges relate to a raid at their home at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday that led to the discovery of a mobile methamphetamine lab in a first-floor bathroom/laundry room, which prompted police to evacuate several neighbors, cordon off a square block area around the residence and request a decontamination zone be established for the safety of everyone at the scene.
Various chemicals used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, or "meth," are not only toxic, but can also be highly explosive.
The home at 244 S. Beech St. is within 1,000 yards of Mount Carmel Area Junior-Senior High School.
According to a criminal complaint, adult probation officers from Columbia County went to the South Beech Street home to serve arrest warrants on the couple. After knocking on the door and receiving no answer, forced entry was made into the residence, which had been under surveillance for several hours.
Hunsinger and Metcalf were found a few feet inside the front door, within arm's reach of an H&R .410 shotgun.
Police spotted a syringe on a shelf in the living room and a burnt spoon lying on a coffee table. They also spotted a backpack in a first-floor bathroom that was open and contained several items, including lighter fluid, liquid fire drain cleaner, table salt, two clear plastic water bottles used as a gas generator and a funnel with crystals in it.
Police identified the items as being parts of a mobile methamphetamine lab also known as a "shake and bake" or "one bottle cook" operation.
While inside the residence, police said Hunsinger told Metcalf, "Baby, I'm sorry. I'm going to jail," after hearing police say they located the meth lab.
While clearing the kitchen area of the home, police noticed fumes being moved through the residence by an air conditioner and ordered an immediate evacuation of the home.
Police then summoned firefighters, members of the Northumberland County Hazardous Material Response Team and other emergency personnel.
Police evacuated neighboring homes and blocked off the street to reduce the risk of death or serious bodily injury that could have resulted if the items inside became unstable, causing a fire or explosion.
Hunsinger and Metcalf were decontaminated to remove any potential chemicals from their clothing and skin.
At 5:15 p.m., members of a state police clandestine lab response team entered the home and removed the backpack and its contents from the bathroom.
Items removed from the trash inside the home included numerous empty packs of pseudoephedrine, which is the main ingredient in the manufacturing of methamphetamine. Also found were lithium batteries and metal spoons covered with a white residue, a light bulb fashioned into a methamphetamine smoking device and brown medication bottles containing an unknown clear liquid.
All of the items were collected by Rebecca C. Patrick, a forensic scientist with the Pennsylvania State Police Crime Lab, Bethlehem, for further analysis, testing and intelligence purposes.
Purchasing cold medicine
On Wednesday, police learned that Hunsinger had been purchasing pseudoephedrine from Buckhorn Wal-Mart in Columbia County for the past several months. Police also discovered during the investigation that Metcalf purchased pseudoephedrine from the Coal Township Wal-Mart on Monday.