On Monday, the McKean County Drug Task Force arrested an Eldred man on allegations he was cooking methamphetamine in an Eldred apartment.
James L. Baker II, 22, of Eldred, is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $75,000 bail, District Attorney Stephanie Vettenburg-Shaffer said.
“Otto-Eldred Regional Police had requested assistance from the McKean County Detectives on a report of a possible methamphetamine lab located at 179 Main Street in Eldred Borough,” Shaffer wrote in a statement. “Detectives verified that there was an active meth lab located at that address.”
For safety reasons, the scene was processed by the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Laboratory teams.
The criminal complaint described the risk to others from Baker’s alleged actions in further detail.
According to the complaint, Baker manufactured methamphetamine in the apartment from Dec. 1 to Feb. 26 while other people were living in the downstairs apartment.
“Items associated (with making methamphetamine) are capable of releasing gases that can be fatal and explosive if not handled with extreme care,” the complaint stated.
In fact, investigators found that plastic blinds above the sink had been melted, and Baker admitted he accidentally started a fire while cooking methamphetamine; he also admitted that he burned himself and left chemical burns in the carpet while making methamphetamine, according to the complaint.
Police reported finding items in the apartment including instant cold packs, camp fuel, liquid Drano, coffee filters and lye.
On several occasions between Dec. 8 and Feb. 20, Baker allegedly purchased at total of 15.6 grams of pseudoephedrine to be used in the process. He made eight separate purchases: six at the Walmart Pharmacy in Olean, N.Y., and one each at Rite Aid Pharmacy in Olean and Buchanan Brothers Pharmacy in Eldred, court records indicate.
Court records indicate that Baker entered the apartment without permission on Feb. 24 to tend to his meth lab, but the complaint does not indicate if he had permission to be there at any prior point, or how he came to use the apartment for the alleged lab.
Baker was arraigned before District Judge William Todd on the following charges: manufacturing a controlled substance, liquefied ammonia gas-precursors and chemicals and operating a methamphetamine laboratory and illegal dumping, all felonies; burglary, a second-degree felony; criminal trespass and causing or risking catastrophe, both third-degree felonies; and possession of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, court records stated.
He is scheduled to appear in Central Court on March 8. No attorney is listed for Baker.
Shaffer asks that anyone who suspects illegal drug activity notify the McKean County Drug Task Force at the District Attorney’s Office by calling 887-3312 or emailing MCDTFtip@gmail.com
