Wooster man, woman indicted for arson, meth

A man and woman were indicted on arson and meth charges from their alleged involvement in a January fire at a mobile home.

Robert L. McCune Jr., 54, last known address of 6186 Canaan Center Road, Wooster, and Debra Smith, 54, 4969 E. Lincoln Way, Wooster, were indicted as codefendants on charges of aggravated arson, illegal manufacture of drugs (both second-degree felonies), illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs (third-degree felony) and arson (first-degree misdemeanor).

McCune was arrested and served the indictment; Smith had not been served as of Wednesday. McCune was out of jail on a recognizance bond Wednesday.

The charges stem from an incident Jan. 4 when emergency personnel were called to a fire at Smith's residence on East Lincoln Way, west of Honeytown Road, after an explosion and house fire was reported.

While firefighters were at the scene, the Medway Drug Enforcement Agency was called after a trash pile was suspected of containing numerous one-pot meth labs.

Medway Director Donald Hall said at the time, the fire was believed to be caused from an active meth cook at the residence.

Senior Agent Jason Waddell said the arson charges stem from the fact that by allegedly making meth in the home, it led to the fire. He said the duo originally reported the fire started in a dryer, which was determined not to be the cause.

They were transported to Wooster Community Hospital for burns to their bodies from the fire.

By STEVEN F. HUSZAI  @the-daily-record.com