6-year sentence in connection with Puyallup hash oil explosion

SEATTLE (AP) — A Federal Way man has been sentenced to six years in prison and three years of probation in connection with a 2014 hash oil explosion in Puyallup.

The U.S. attorney's office says 25-year-old Kevin Weeks directed others to use highly flammable butane gas to make hash oil.

In May of 2014, one of Weeks' workers was producing the hash oil in Puyallup when his makeshift lab exploded, sending butane canisters flying through the air, according to court records. Nobody was hurt.

Authorities say that after the explosion in Puyallup, Weeks threatened an associate to keep him working and to attempt to hide his involvement.

Weeks pleaded guilty in April to endangering human life while manufacturing controlled substances and related drug charges.

During the sentencing Friday, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton said what disturbed him about the case was an apparent disregard for human life. The judge said manufacturing hash oil is dangerous, but threatening other people to do it for you is worse.

At Friday's sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton spoke about the dangers associated with hash oil production.

"What disturbs the court about this case is the disregard for human life. The process of manufacturing marijuana into hash oil is dangerous and stupid. Threatening other people to do your bidding makes it a perfect storm," Leighton said.

Below is a previous report including video of the fire: