On Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, the Oneida City Police responded to a reported explosion of a possible meth lab, resulting in a fire at 168 Madison St. Upon arrival, police discovered a smoldering fire scene within an apartment, and the Oneida City Fire Department responded.
Individuals located in the apartment were taken into custody, and the other tenants of the building were evacuated.
The New York State Police Contaminated Crime Scene Emergency Response Team also responded to mitigate the scene. Subsequent investigation led to the discovery of methamphetamine manufacturing materials, as well as a quantity of finished methamphetamine product.
Following the investigation, Oneida City Police charged the following suspects:
Bryan Musacchio, 36, of Madison Street, was charged with one count each of:
- Third-degree unlawful manufacture of methamphetamine (class D felony)
- Criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (class E felony)
- Second-degree criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials (class A misdemeanor)
- Seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (class A misdemeanor)
- Second-degree reckless endangerment (class A misdemeanor)
- Endangering the welfare of a child (class A misdemeanor)
Paula Hunkins, 45, of Madison Street, was charged with one count each of:
- Criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine (class E felony)
- Second-degree criminal possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials (class A misdemeanor)
- Endangering the welfare of a child (A Misdemeanor)
Both suspects were arraigned in Oneida City Court. Musacchio was remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $25,000 cash bail or $50,000 bail bond; Hunkins was remanded to the Madison County Jail in lieu of $2,500 cash bail or bail bond.
Both were ordered to reappear in Oneida City Court Jan. 19, 2018; additional charges may be pending upon further investigation.
The Oneida City Police credits the watchful eye of citizens and neighbors with alerting the police to this activity and would like to extend a thank you to those who assisted with this investigation.