DENVER – Two Metro Denver men were indicted last week by a federal grand jury in Denver on charges of unlawful acts with explosives, United States Attorney John Walsh and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Andrew Traver announced. During the course of this investigation, undercover ATF agents purchased over 500 cartridges of explosives, similar to dynamite, and two sawed-off shotguns. James Bradley Coet, age 48, of Denver, was arrested by ATF agents without incident on Thursday, July 26th. He made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Denver on Friday, July 27th. Coet will next appear in court on Wednesday, August 1st at 10:00 a.m. for a detention hearing. Nathaniel Paul Hailpern, age 19, of Arvada, is wanted by authorities.

According to court documents, including the indictment, beginning on June 11, 2012 through July 2, 2012, the defendants allegedly engaged in the business of dealing explosive materials without a license. Specifically, they sold the explosive cartridges to undercover ATF agents. Further, the two knowingly received explosive materials without being a licensee or permittee. The indictment also alleges that both men did knowingly possess explosives while being addicted to any controlled substance – in this case – methamphetamine. Lastly, defendant Coet, who is pending felony state charges, unlawfully possessed explosives and sawed-off shotguns.

The ATF is currently storing the explosives in their explosives evidence storage magazine at an undisclosed location.

“Thanks to the hard work of ATF special agents, over 500 sticks of highly explosive material that can do substantial damage have been recovered and removed from our community,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.

“This investigation is just another example of ATF protecting the public from violent criminals who blatantly disregard the safety of the citizens of Colorado,” said Denver ATF Special Agent in Charge Andrew Traver. “We will remain dedicated to our mission and continue to target those individuals who choose to place our communities in harm’s way.”

“The Arvada Police Department will always be available to assist our Federal partners in protecting our community through arrests such as these,” said Arvada Police Chief Don Wick.

Coet is charged with five counts of unlawful acts with explosives and one count of possession of firearms required to be registered under the National Firearms Act. Hailpern is charged with four counts of unlawful acts with explosives. If convicted of unlawful acts with explosives, the defendants face not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, per count. If Coet is convicted of possessing firearms required to be registered under the National Firearms Act, he faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $10,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Arvada Police Department.

The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Sibert.

The charges contained in the indictment are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

####