Two plead guilty to explosive hash oil operation at Hampton Greens

Published 5:01 pm Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Two Bellevue men pleaded guilty Wednesday to running a hash oil operation out of a Hampton Greens apartment, which last year resulted in an explosion at the complex that injured several residents, one of whom died following hospitalization for injuries sustained while fleeing her home.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced charges against several alleged hash oil manufacturers in the region in July, part of “Operation Shattered.” On Wednesday, Daniel J. Strycharske, 28, and Jesse D. Kaplan, 31, pleaded guilty in federal court to endangering human life while manufacturing hash oil and marijuana.

Strycharske, Kaplan and David Schultz, 32, were charged in July with endangering human life while manufacturing controlled substances, maintaining a drug involved premises and manufacturing hash oil and marijuana.

Residents at the Hampton Greens apartments awoke early Nov. 5, 2013, to the sound of an explosion that shook the complex and nearby businesses and residences, causing a fire that ripped through the KK building at 4505 148th Ave. N.E.

A Bellevue Police investigative report states the three Bellevue men were residing in the apartment where the explosion occurred, caused by the ignition of butane gas inside that was part of a hash oil manufacturing operation.

Seven people were hospitalized that day, including former Bellevue Mayor Nan Campbell, who later died from complications following hospitalization for injuries she suffered while fleeing the ensuing fire.