Exploding 'Meth Lab' House Owner, 64, Charged

A 64-year-old woman and owner of a Northeast Bethlehem home where a suspected methamphetamine lab exploded and caught fire 10 days ago was arrested Monday and charged with multiple drug-related crimes.

Elaine M. Noone of 1965 Greenleaf St. was charged with operating a methamphetamine lab, a first-degree felony, as well as seven other criminal counts, four of which were also felonies, according to court records.

Arrest warrants have been obtained for three other people police believe were also involved with methamphetamine production at the house, Bethlehem police said.

Jeffrey Caufield, 28, and Daniel James Houser, 39, are both wanted on charges of operating a methamphetamine lab, criminal conspiracy and six other crimes, police said. Davina C. Bowler, 39, is wanted on three charges related to the same meth lab, police said.

Anyone with any information regarding the whereabouts of these people is asked to contact the Bethlehem Police Department at 610-865-7187 or Det. Christopher Vasvari at 610-865-7129.

According to Northampton County property records, Noone is the sole owner of the home, which was condemned by city officials after the March 8 explosion and fire that injured seven people, including two Bethlehem police officers, none of them seriously.

The explosion and fire happened about three hours before Bethlehem police planned to execute a search warrant at the house, which was obtained as a result of a two-month investigation into methamphetamine sales in the city and Bethlehem Township, police said.

Among the charges against Noone are criminal conspiracy, risking a catastrophe, and manufacture, delivery or possession with intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamines.

She was arraigned Monday before District Judge James Narlesky in Hanover Township and released on $75,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 27.