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Two Arrested After Motel Room Fire in Marianna
11/02/09 - 03:06 PM

Jackson County Floridan

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On the evening of Saturday, October 31, 2009 Jackson County Fire Rescue and Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report of a fire at the Microtel Inn and Suites located on Whitetail Drive in Marianna, Florida. After the fire was extinguished deputies entered the room where the fire was started. Inside the room, multiple items used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were located and the Drug Task Force was contacted.

Inside the room, ground pseudoephedrine tablets, lithium metal, sulfuric acid, Coleman camp fuel, and fertilizer were located.  These items are consistent with the “Shake n Bake” method on manufacturing methamphetamine. The sprinkler system in the hotel was activated and soon extinguished the fire. The bathroom in the hotel room received only minor burn damage however large portions of the second and third floors were flooded.

Alicia Faye Baxter, 29, of Walden Road in Sneads, Florida had rented the room and through further investigation, information was obtained that Noah Damian Johnson, 25, of Providence Church Road in Grand Ridge, Florida was with her. Eyewitness accounts stated Baxter and Johnson were seen fleeing the hotel shortly after the fire erupted.

During the eerily morning hours of Sunday, November 1, 2009, Alicia Baxter was located and arrested for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine however Johnson was unable to be located. On Monday, November 02, 2009, Noah Damian Johnson was located and a confession was obtained from him about the incident. Johnson was treated at Jackson Hospital for 2nd degree burns to his hands arms and neck that he received during the fire and released. Johnson too was placed under arrest for attempting to manufacture methamphetamine. Additional charges could still be pending awaiting a final report from the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Both Baxter and Johnson were transported and housed in the Jackson County Jail to await first appearance on their charges.

The Microtel Inns and Suites had to be evacuated during the incident. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the hotel staff for their assistance and hospitality during our investigation. The rooms and areas affected by the fire have been closed to the public and Microtel has been in contact with professional cleanup companies that specialize in the decontamination of meth lab affected areas. Microtel is taking all steps necessary to ensure the safety of their customers and the public. Microtel is currently open for business and all rooms not affected by the fire are available for rent.