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Explosion points to meth lab
By BRADY DENNIS, Times Staff Writer ZEPHYRHILLS -- Thomas Cleveland Williams caused an explosion Sunday. He burned his arm and shoulder and face. In the end, he landed back in jail, where he already has spent plenty of time for murder, arson and a host of other offenses. After a helicopter ride to Tampa General Hospital and treatment for his burns, Williams returned to his 5208 Seventh Street home and told investigators what they suspected: He was running a methamphetamine lab when the explosion occurred. "Sgt. (David) Shears had gone to view the scene, and he saw the chemicals there," said Zephyrhills Police Sgt. Randy Belasic. "He noticed something didn't appear right. He realized it was more than a basic stove fire." Shears called in detectives, who also called Pasco County vice and narcotics deputies. The county hazardous materials team and federal Drug Enforcement Administration agents soon arrived. Even agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms showed up because "there was a sawed-off shotgun in plain view," Belasic said. What investigators discovered inside was a "box lab," a makeshift setup that could be packed up and moved quickly. "It's all stuff you would have in your house. It's just a matter of the right quantities and how you mix it," Belasic said. "It's extremely volatile. A spark or a cigarette can set it off." Belasic said Williams didn't tell investigators exactly what caused the explosion. But he did say he was manufacturing the drug with another, unidentified man when the explosion happened about 2:05 p.m. Sunday, reports stated. Williams faces charges of arson and manufacture of methamphetamine, identity theft, retail theft and violation of parole. He remained at Land O'Lakes jail Monday night without bail. State records show Williams has been arrested 13 times since 1978, including convictions for second-degree murder and arson in Washington County in 1992. Records show Williams served six years of a 12-year sentence and was released in 1999. His other convictions include dealing in stolen property, burglary, grand larceny, marijuana smuggling and resisting an officer without violence. Sunday's bust marked the second meth lab authorities have broken up in Zephyrhills. In December 2000, a raid at a home on 17th Street resulted in what investigators called the first ever bust of a methamphetamine lab in Pasco County. Belasic said DEA officials continued their investigation into the latest incident Monday. -- Brady Dennis covers the city of Zephyrhills and crime in east Pasco. To reach him, call (352) 521-5757, ext. 23, or toll-free 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6108, then 23. His e-mail address is dennis@sptimes.com.
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