Anhydrous Ammonia Tank Exploded in Busy Wal-Mart Parking Lot          

            Cory Ingram, 31, of Camden, Tenn. and Anthony Coker, 34, of Hermitage, Tenn. were sentenced on August 12, 2011 by U.S. District Judge William J. Haynes, Jr., for their role in a methamphetamine manufacturing conspiracy, announced Jerry E. Martin, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee.  Both men pleaded guilty on April 9, 2011.

            Ingram was sentenced to 150 months in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, for conspiracy to manufacture, with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  Coker was sentenced to 87 months in prison, followed by 4 years supervised release, for conspiracy to manufacture, with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and an additional 87 months, followed by 3 years supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm, to be served concurrently.  Both defendants were also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $1,636.00 each for the cost incurred by the DEA for the cleanup.

            Ingram and Coker were arrested after a metal tank, containing anhydrous ammonia, exploded in the back of Ingram’s pick-up truck on March 9, 2010, while parked in the Wal-Mart parking lot at the corner of Murfreesboro Road and Hamilton Church Pike in Nashville.  Wal-Mart security surveillance video captured both men exiting the truck prior to the explosion and also showed them exiting the store after the explosion.  The subsequent investigation determined that both men were inside Wal-Mart purchasing additional supplies and precursors used in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamine when the explosion occurred.  Several items used to manufacture methamphetamine were also located within the truck. 
Ingram admitted to manufacturing methamphetamine, and claimed the items found in his truck.  A bag containing a loaded 9 millimeter handgun, pseudoephedrine pills, digital scales and other items used to manufacture methamphetamine were also recovered.  Coker claimed the bag and its contents.

            The explosion caused one person to be sent to a hospital for acute inhalation exposure to anhydrous amonia and a police officer was also treated at the scene for inhalation exposure.

            This investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Nashville Fire Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Lynne T. Ingram represented the government.

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