A man charged with two counts of first-degree murder following a deadly explosion at a Sand Springs marijuana processing facility has been arrested again, this time in Creek County.
According to a statement from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, agents arrested 35-year-old Ryan Bassham on Aug. 31 in connection with a separate alleged illegal marijuana growing and processing operation near Kellyville.
Bassham was booked into the Creek County Jail on complaints of aggravated trafficking of a controlled dangerous substance, aggravated manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
The arrest came one day after Bassham surrendered to authorities in Tulsa County on two counts of first-degree murder stemming from an Aug. 27 explosion in Sand Springs.
Sand Springs police officers responded at approximately 1:14 a.m. to a reported explosion at 411 S. Lincoln Ave. When officers arrived, they found a local business that had been severely damaged.
Authorities identified the business as a marijuana processing facility.
While processing the scene, officers found 28-year-old Stephen Scott dead and 41-year-old Michael Newman injured. Newman was transported to a Tulsa-area hospital, where he later died. According to the OSBI, both men were employees of the business.
The OSBI and several assisting agencies began investigating the cause of the explosion. Based on information and evidence obtained during that investigation, the Tulsa County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony arrest warrant charging Bassham with two counts of first-degree murder.
Bassham surrendered to the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office on Aug. 30 and was booked into the Tulsa County Jail. He subsequently posted a $2 million bond and was released.
OBN agents arrested Bassham the following day in connection with the alleged operation near Kellyville. Although the statement nor agents have revealed the facility’s exact location, multiple news outlets have reported it to be locatd on Slick Road, southwest of Kellyville.
All charges are allegations. Bassham is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.