Edmond Man Charged After Whiskey Still Explodes In Garage

An Edmond man is facing charges after a whiskey still blew up in his garage in the middle of a neighborhood.

Charges were filed Wednesday against Richard Sherrick for operating a whiskey still without a permit.

The explosion happened on October 26, 2013, in the 2800 block of Jill's Trail. The blast left behind smoke damage, cracks and a broken garage door at Sherrick's girlfriend's house.

Edmond Police said Sherrick's garage hobby could have caused more than property damage.

"Obviously it's very dangerous, it has the potential for explosion as we saw here," said Jenny Monroe with Edmond Police Department.

Court documents show Sherrick had been making wine for several years in his garage and recently wanted to make some "stronger stuff."

Sherrick told police he "had been condensing wine down to brandy," but that alcohol was leaking out of the still while he "had the flame up too high" and "somehow the alcohol came in contact with the flame."

"It's highly explosive and it's really dangerous and in this case, there was poor ventilation and so he ended up having a flashback and that's what caused the explosion," said Monroe.

Sherrick stepped back into the house before the explosion and no one was injured.

Police said a residential distillery in the middle of town is rare, especially surrounded by homes, families and children.

"We are just lucky that it ended the way it did without someone getting seriously hurt," Monroe added.

Oklahomans can brew beer and make wine at home, but using a still to make liquor is illegal without a permit. Police said they found more distillery equipment in Sherrick's attic.

Edmond police said Sherrick is cooperating and he is expected to turn himself in soon for the felony charge.