Full Notification

DATE/TIME:  Friday, August 4, 2017 / 1:35 a.m.
 
INCIDENT:    THC Extraction Lab Explosion

LOCATION:   13150 Riverview Drive, Spring Valley Lake (Victorville)

SUSPECT:      #1) Steven Ray Hoover Jr., age 25, resident of Victorville / #2) Jesse Karl Bevins, age 28, resident of Apple Valley / #3) Paige Nicole Tappe, age 26, resident of Victorville  

SUMMARY: 
Deputies from the Victor Valley Sheriff’s Station and personnel from the fire department were dispatched to the residence for an explosion and fire.  Upon their arrival, they located items that were consistent with a THC extraction lab.  One room inside the residence was destroyed by the explosion and fire.   

Personnel from the Sheriff’s Department Gangs/Narcotics Division were requested to respond to assist with the investigation.  The Sheriff’s Marijuana Enforcement Team served a search warrant at the residence and assumed the investigation. Investigators from the Sheriff’s Arson/Bomb Detail also responded to the scene.  Investigators found evidence of a THC extraction operation.  

All three suspects were present when the explosion and fire occurred but fled prior to emergency personnel arriving at the scene.  Through investigation, the suspects were identified and located by investigators.  

Hoover was badly burned and taken to a local hospital.  He was later transported to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for treatment.  Hoover has 2nd and 3rd degree burns to his face, head and body.  Bevins and Tappe checked into a hotel in Hesperia.  Deputies contacted them there and detained them until investigators arrived.  Bevins has 2nd degree burns to his arm; Tappe has 2nd degree burns to her arm and back.

The suspects were inside the room where the explosion and fire occurred.  Investigators found evidence to suggest the suspect(s) were manufacturing concentrated cannabis, commonly referred to as Wax or Butane Honey Oil (BHO).  

Concentrated cannabis can sell for much more than marijuana itself.  Some marijuana users prefer using Wax, Dabs or Honey Oil over the straightforward method of smoking marijuana (bud) because of the higher concentration of THC levels produced.  Therefore, the effects are much stronger than the traditional method of smoking the plant material.  THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) is the main or active ingredient in marijuana that causes the “high” when using the drug.    
  
The THC extraction process is extremely dangerous and has a high potential for explosion and fire due to the use of large amounts of flammable chemicals and solvents during the extraction process.  This chemical process is illegal and is a violation of California’s Health & Safety Code.  Wax/BHO is a form of concentrated cannabis commonly made by extracting the THC from the marijuana plant or plant material.   
 
The investigation is ongoing.  It will be sent to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office for review of criminal charges against the suspect(s).  They will face charges of Manufacturing a Controlled Substance and possibly additional criminal charges.  Bevins was booked at the West Valley Detention Center.  His bail is set at $500,000.  

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Gangs / Narcotics Division at 909-387-8400.  Callers wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call the We-tip Hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.


Refer:       Sheriff’s Public Affairs        
Phone No.       (909) 387-3700
DR / case:    #651700169     
          
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department