A man from Gardnerville, Nevada -- 22-year-old Adam Fitzgerald-Wermes -- made his first appearance in court today after allegedly causing an explosion in his apartment while trying to extract hash oil using butane back in January. If convicted, the statutory, maximum penalty is 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Butane extraction is regarded as a highly-dangerous chemical process due to the flammable nature of the gas used in the extraction process.
Fitzgerald-Wermes 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.
