BATTLE GROUND TEENS CHARGED WITH BUILDING ILLEGAL PIPE BOMBS
MATTHEW E. CAMPBELL, 18, and BRADLEY J. BROWN, 19, of Battle Ground, Washington, were charged in U.S. District Court in Tacoma with Conspiring to Make an Unregistered Destructive Device. The crime carries a penalty of up to ten years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to court documents the two young men constructed pipe bombs and used them to blow up Qwest junction boxes near Daybreak Park in Battle Ground. Neighbors in the area heard a loud explosion at about 11:30 PM on January 24, 2005. The explosion wiped out phone and DSL service for about 250 customers. The equipment in the boxes was valued at between $30,000 and $40,000. Investigators identified CAMPBELL and BROWN as suspects based on a purchase of explosive powder and fuse at a local G.I. Joe's sporting goods store. The credit card used for the purchase was traced to one of the defendants. Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) recovered explosive powder and the remainder of the fuse from the home of one of the defendants.
A criminal complaint contains allegations that have not yet been proven at trial beyond a reasonable doubt. CAMPBELL and BROWN will have a preliminary hearing on the charge February 16, 2005 at 10:00 am. They remain free on their personal recognizance.
The case was investigated by ATF and the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney William H. Redkey, Jr., is prosecuting the case.
For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington at (206)553-4110.
