Gardnerville man arrested and indicted for butane hash oil explosion

A Gardnerville man made his first appearance in federal court Thursday on charges stemming from a honey oil lab explosion on January 14, 2018 at his apartment.

Adam Fitzgerald-Wermes, 22, is charged with one count of endangering human life while manufacturing a controlled substance. United States District Magistrate Judge Valerie P. Cooke scheduled a jury trial to begin on May 8, 2018.

According to the indictment, Fitzgerald-Wermes allegedly caused an explosion in his kitchen by trying to make butane hash oil (BHO) containing a high potency of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol).

The chemical extraction process is dangerous because it involves the use of butane, a highly flammable and odorless gas, to burn parts of marijuana to draw concentrated THC from the plant into a wax-like substance. It was during this process that Fitzegerald-Wermes suffered third degree burns.

When fire personnel responded to the call of fire at the Crestmore Apartments they found an extinguished appliance fire and the injured man.

If convicted, the statutory maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

An indictment merely alleges that a crime has been committed, and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Keller is prosecuting the case.