Ryan Bassham, 35, the owner of an Oklahoma marijuana extraction facility called Solo Extracts, is facing two counts of first-degree murder following a deadly explosion that claimed the lives of two employees, Michael Newman and Stephen Scott. The incident occurred during what investigators believe was the unlawful manufacturing of hazardous chemicals.
Bassham turned himself in over the weekend and was released on a $2 million bond. He purchased the facility earlier this year and was in the process of seeking an updated marijuana license and narcotics registration at the time of the explosion.
Court documents revealed that Newman had informed a paramedic about poor ventilation in the area and indicated the explosion occurred when he unplugged equipment. A fire marshal, who inspected the facility prior to the explosion, found an outdated fire suppression system and significant amounts of hazardous materials that were absent during his earlier visit.
Fortunately, no one else was harmed in the explosion, but multiple nearby businesses suffered damage.
