CHARLESTON, W.Va. - United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that Steven Jones, 31, of Ripley, was sentenced to 12 months and a day in federal prison for possession of a pipe bomb. Jones pled guilty in December, admitting that on November 6, 2017, he possessed a pipe bomb he had constructed in his garage. Jones further admitted having built and detonated two additional pipe bombs and posting videos of the explosions on the internet. Stuart commended the investigative efforts of the West Virginia State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
“A citizen tip to authorities about a pipe bomb prevented what could have been a horrific tragedy. Cases like this depend on the vigilance of citizens bravely willing to step forward to report this kind of dangerous activity," said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “The horrific events happening in Austin, Texas, are a tragedy we don’t want to happen here in West Virginia. Bombs in the hands of citizens are highly dangerous, reckless and illegal. My Office is committed to strengthening the relationship between the public and law enforcement so that we can keep dangerous criminals like this bomb maker behind bars."
United States District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin imposed the sentence in federal court in Charleston. Assistant United States Attorney Joshua Hanks prosecuted the case.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
