PATTON - Police serving a search warrant at the residence of a Patton man, who was arrested Wednesday on rape and sexual assault charges, said they found the beginnings of a meth lab in his home.
Steven C. Fisher, 40, of 314 Ashcroft Road was arraigned Wednesday night in front of Magisterial District Judge Michael Zungali. Fisher is charged with rape, sexual assault, aggravated indecent assault, terroristic threats and unlawful restraint.
Fisher allegedly sexually assaulted his wife while the couple's children, both minors, were sleeping in the same house, police said.
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View footage of the police busting a suspected meth lab in Patton.
Police first learned about the alleged assault Wednesday when Fisher's wife contacted state police at Ebensburg and claimed she was sexually assaulted the night before by her husband, Trooper John Matchik said.
Fisher contacted the woman Tuesday at her residence in violation of a protection-from-abuse order she filed against him, police said. Fisher told the woman he wanted to speak with her and threatened to kill their 13-year-old son if she did not comply, Matchik said.
The woman and their 12-year-old daughter went to Fisher's house, where Fisher threatened to "kill the entire family" if the woman did not remove the PFA, or if he was sent to jail, Matchik said.
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Mirror photos by Patrick Waksmunski
Members of the Pennsylvania State Police Clandestine Lab Response Team gather materials allegedly used to make
methamphetamine at the home of Steven Fisher, 40, 314 Ashcroft Road, in East Carroll Township outside of Patton on Thursday.
She stayed overnight when the alleged assault took place and reported the incident to police Wednesday afternoon, Matchik said. The woman told police she was "absolutely terrified" as a result of the threats against her. Fisher was also screaming and throwing knives into the walls of the house.
After Fisher's arrest Wednesday, officers serving a search warrant at his house immediately recognized signs of a possible meth lab, Matchik said.
"They observed chemicals and other materials generally used in a methamphetamine operation," Matchik said.
Officials requested assistance from the state police Clandestine Laboratory Response Team to secure the premises, which arrived on scene about 7 a.m. Thursday, he said.
Workers wearing hazardous materials suits were still at the scene Thursday afternoon. No drug charges have been filed against Fisher as of early Thursday evening.
"Never at any time did we fear for public safety," concerning the materials found, Matchik added.
Fisher was previously arrested in December for allegedly trespassing on school property in the Cambria Heights School District.
Fisher was observed slouched down in his wife's car waiting for her to exit the building, police said. The woman was at the school to alert officials she had recently filed a PFA against her husband, police said. The school district was placed on a temporary lockdown and Fisher was arrested without incident.
Fisher is currently lodged in Cambria County Prison in lieu 10 percent of $100,000 cash bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Frederick S. Creany.
Mirror Staff Writer Zach Geiger is at 946-7535.
