LOGAN — A 20-year-old former Utah State University student has been placed on probation for mixing chemicals in his dorm room, resulting in the evacuation of the entire building on two occasions. Joshua Peter Jager apologized and said he never meant for the incidents to happen.
Jager was sentenced June 9 in Logan’s 1st District Court. He previously accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to recklessly causing a catastrophe, a class A misdemeanor.
According to prosecutors, USU police officers were originally called to a fire alarm at the Mountain View Tower on Jan. 13. The source or the alarm was traced to Jager’s room, where he originally claimed he was boiling water and vinegar to make potatoes.
Officers reported that when they entered the room, they discovered a large amount of chemicals, including silver nitrate and potassium carbonate. They also found various machinery, tools and large quantities of batteries.
Emergency crews responded to another fire alarm at the same dorm, Jan 16. As they entered the first floor, Jager met them and admitted to setting the alarm off again.
Jager told police that he had found more chemicals and was attempting to “neutralize” them. This caused a large amount of hydrochloric acid gas to accumulate, producing a strong chemical smell throughout the first floor of the tower.
The incidents prompted the mass evacuation of students and required decontamination efforts, estimated between $10,000-$20,000, not including labor costs. University officials confirmed that while all chemicals found were legally available, they violated housing policies.
During Monday’s sentencing hearing, defense attorney Tony Baird said Jager was merely conducting experiments for class because of an interest in science. He explained how his client was forthcoming with law enforcement and never nefarious.
Judge Spencer Walsh said Jager had made a reckless decision which could have injured innocent people. He ordered the defendant to serve two days in jail, with credit for the two days previously served, and followed by two years of probation.
Judge Walsh also prohibited Jager from possessing any dangerous chemicals, and to stay away from USU until school officials determine whether or not to readmit him.
A restitution hearing was scheduled for Aug. 11, when attorneys will determine the amount of money to be paid for damages to the dorms.