Family of four in jail after allegedly refusing to allow inspections of business

A warrant allowing city inspectors into a business in East Carson City allegedly revealed Tuesday that a family of four was living there and that they were growing marijuana, building explosives and operating a machine shop without proper licensing.

Dewey Douglas, 57, his wife, Adrian Dewey, and adult sons Brian and Alexander Dewey are being held on suspicion of obstructing police. They are expected to be additionally charged with possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of explosives, manufacturing of explosives and various code enforcement misdemeanors.

According to an affidavit in support of a warrant, a fire inspector, building inspector, the planning director, and a code enforcement compliance officer were allegedly denied entry on May 23 to the 6,825-square-foot unit at 2211 Mouton Dr., Suite E, by Douglas Dewey.

"Basically they said they were sovereign citizens, and we couldn't inspect because our laws don't apply to them," recalled Kevin McCoy, senior compliance officer with the health department.

The affidavit states that the East Sierra Business Park's property manager contacted the Carson City Planning Department on May 8 saying that at least four other tenants of the complex off Conestoga Way had complained the Deweys were living in the property zoned for limited industrial use.

The manager said the family had also installed additional electrical wiring for "various production machines" and framed out three bedrooms and built a shower and a kitchen all without proper licensing.

On Tuesday, accompanied by deputies with the Carson City Sheriff's Department, the inspectors returned to the office building to execute the search warrant.

Chief Deputy Steve Schuette said the four adults at the business refused to identify themselves and were taken into custody for obstructing an investigation.

When officers entered the premises, they allegedly located at least three small marijuana plants in a "grow room" and several man-made explosive devices.

The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms and the Douglas County Bomb Squad were called in to remove "pounds of explosive material," said Schuette.

Schuette said the family appeared to be operating a machine shop and the affidavit for the warrant states Dewey claimed "he is in the business of operating of manufacturing products related to national security."

The warrant states there are no building and business permits issued to Dewey, nor have fire inspections in support of such permits been conducted.

According to the court record, the Deweys moved into the building from Los Angeles and signed a two-year lease on Feb. 14.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.