A.V. MAN ARRESTED AFTER DEPUTIES BRAVE BOOBY-TRAPPED PATH.

Byline: Bhavna Mistry Daily News Staff Writer

Camouflaged planks studded with rusty upturned nails booby-trapped the path leading to a methamphetamine lab discovered in a collection of shacks in far eastern Antelope Valley.

Marvin Hutsler, 37, was arrested after a gallon of liquid meth was found Wednesday night at his home in the 21000 block of Avenue R-8.

``The booby traps had nails from end to end and width to width,'' said Deputy Chris Keeling, describing the boards of 4-by-8-foot plywood. ``It was disguised as brush.''

The deputies came very close to stepping on the boards, but no one was injured.

``It could have caused serious damage,'' said Keeling.

The arrest resulted from a probation search conducted by the Community Oriented Policing Services program. Deputies approached the house and ordered residents to open the door.

``We can hear people in the house,'' said Keeling. ``They refused to open the door.''

Deputies kicked open the door and immediately smelled a strong chemical odor, Keeling said. They found the gallon container of liquid meth and other evidence that the illicit drug was being produced on the property.

Hutsler is being held on suspicion of manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of booby trap devices and violation of probation at the Lancaster sheriff's station in lieu of $500,000 bail.