A Basalt man arrested nearly three weeks ago for allegedly throwing chemical-filled bottles into the Roaring Fork River was charged with six felonies Monday.
Ricardo Parras-Membreno, 43, faces between 12 and 36 years in prison if convicted of all six counts of causing a hazardous substance incident, District Court Judge Chris Seldin said.
Meanwhile, Basalt Police Chief Greg Knott said an analysis of the bottles conducted March 20 and 21 discovered bleach, isopropyl alcohol, sodium acetate trihydrate, titanium oxide, starch and adhesive material, according to a statement.
The analysis — done by the Colorado National Guard 8th Civil Support Team at Buckley Air Force Base — also found photo paper and trace chemicals “consistent with photo paper and the ink used for photo development,” the statement says.
“Liquid contents in the bottles had pH levels ranging from 11-(to)-14,” according to Knott’s release. “Levels above 12.5 are considered corrosive.”
Police previously said they thought the bottles were being used to manufacture methamphetamine.
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