TAHLEQUAH —
Prosecutors have formally filed charges against a Tahlequah duo who allegedly fled from a home last month when a fire broke out in a shed.
Arthur Adney, 48, faces a felony charge of manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance-possession of materials with intent to manufacture, and second-degree arson. Emily M. Bright, 24, is facing a felony charge of endeavoring to manufacture a CDS-possession of material with intent to manufacture.
Charges stem from a structure fire on North Oak Avenue early July 25. Tahlequah firefighters arrived at the scene around 7:30 a.m., and saw smoke coming from a small building behind the main residence.
Firefighters began to extinguish the blaze with a water hose and saw Adney inside the building. Firefighters said they told Adney to get out of the structure several times, but Adney was moving glass jars off of shelves and onto the floor. Adney then went into the residence.
Firefighters said the materials in the shed appeared to be similar to those commonly used in the production of methamphetamine.
A short time later, Adney allegedly exited the home and placed a child into a van. Firefighters said they warned Adney to stay at the scene, but Bright got into the driver’s seat and backed the van up in the direction of several firefighters. The van then left through the yard at a high rate of speed and ran a nearby stop sign.
Law enforcement officers later spotted the van and attempted to make a traffic stop, but Adney allegedly fled from officers and escaped on foot, while Bright was apprehended. A warrant was issued for Adney’s arrest last week.
Prosecutors allege Adney was using a “shake-and-bake,” one-pot method of manufacturing meth in the shed, and his activity caused the outbuilding to catch fire.
Manufacturing a CDS-possession of materials with the intent to manufacture is punishable by 14 years to life in prison, while second-degree arson is punishable by two to 50 years and a fine of up to $20,000.
Court documents filed in the case show Adney was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in 2004 and sentenced to five years suspended. Adney will be prosecuted as a second and subsequent offender, which could enhance his sentence.
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