Man Sentenced to 10 Years on Meth Charges

A man who was involved in a suspected meth lab explosion that destroyed a home near Union in 2010 will serve 10 years in prison for methamphetamine related activities, the U.S. attorney’s office reported.

Paul A. Malady, 29, was sentenced to 120 months in a federal prison for activities he was involved in between January 2009 and July 2011.

He pleaded guilty in June to one felony count of possession of pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine and one felony count of endangering human life while illegally manufacturing methamphetamine.

Malady was sentenced Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr.

Malady and another man were arrested in late January 2010 in connection with the fire at the home on Highway V about two miles from the sheriff’s office.

Investigators found numerous items, including chemicals and equipment, related to meth labs on the property.

Malady, who lived at the residence at the time, was arrested at Mercy Hospital Washington after he was treated for burns to his head and face.

Authorities said a passing motorist who reported the fire saw Malady and the other suspect running from the home carrying two children. The motorist ran to the house but was forced back by chemical fumes. She returned to her car and called 911.

Investigators said one of the suspects admitted to making meth at several locations. Police believe the suspects had purchased cold pills containing pseudoephedrine in Eureka.

A press release from the U.S. attorney’s office listed Malady’s latest address as Chamois, Mo.