A Jefferson, Texas, man was sentenced recently in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas for distributing bomb-making instructions.
U.S. District Judge Rodney Gilstrap sentenced 21-year-old Beau Daniel Merryman to 41 months in federal prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Texas reported in a release. Merryman pleaded guilty in November last year to disseminating the instructive material pertaining to making explosives.
"Anyone who provides others with the technical know-how to commit acts of violence against innocent people will suffer the wrath of local, state and federal law enforcement," U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston said in the release. "No stone will be left unturned to catch and prosecute such individuals."
A federal grand jury indicted Merryman on Oct. 16, 2019, the U.S. attorney's office reported. Merryman had online conversations with covert FBI employees between September and October 2019 about making bombs.
"During those conversations, Merryman provided detailed instructions on how to make multiple types of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), such as pipe bombs and pressure-cooker bombs," the U.S. attorney's office reported. "Merryman explained how to construct the IEDs, select explosives, pack shrapnel for maximum damage, and construct fuses or detonating devices. Merryman also directed that the IEDs be used to target federal law enforcement and critical infrastructure, such as electrical substations."
Merryman threatened the safety of an innumerable amount of people, FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew DeSarno said in the release.
"That information and training could have caused immeasurable harm and damage if it was given to a dangerous individual," DeSarno said. "The FBI and our partners are committed to protecting the communities we serve. We ask the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement."
