Evidence of a fire caused by cooking methamphetamine was found in a New Sharon house where a couple was arrested Friday and charged with making meth, according to court documents.
Investigators found the evidence of the fire from cooking methamphetamine in the residence of Daniel Villacci, 28, and Tabatha Schoubroek, 30, according to the court documents released Monday. Villacci and Schoubroek appeared in court on Monday on a charge of trafficking in the drug. Two children lived with the couple
The arrests were made Friday after the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency followed up on a tip from the Farmington Police Department. Drug agents and Franklin County sheriff’s deputies reportedly found evidence of “one pot” meth manufacturing at the Farmington Falls Road home.
Villacci and Schoubroek are also charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Two children were at the home at the time of the raid last week.
The district attorney’s office asked for $50,000 bail for both defendants. Villacci did not argue for reduced bail, but Schoubroek’s bail was lowered to $40,000 single surety or $20,000 cash.
Assistant District Attorney Claire Andrews said a host of considerations went into requesting the high bail, including past convictions and current risk factors.
“Both have charges for endangering the welfare of a child. Another consideration is there’s concern about danger to the community,” said Andrews.
Andrews said the case is still in its early stages of investigation and she is still gathering information, such as the evidence of a previous meth-related fire and the amount of the drug discovered in the Farmington Falls Road home. The chemicals used to make the drug are volatile and considered hazardous.
“There’s so much more investigation that has to be done,” she said.
Last April, Villacci and Schoubroek were arrested after two children came home from school and found the adults unresponsive. One of the children called a relative, who then dialed 911. They were arrested again in December for allegedly taking $6,000 from an Augusta area septic service business.
Andrews said when the two were arrested Friday they were both on bail from a previous charge.
Kaitlin Schroeder — 861-9252
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