A man who threatened to destroy his apartment building by means of fire and explosive materials during a domestic dispute has been sentenced today in federal court, announced U.S. Attorney Trent Shores.
Chief U.S. District Judge John E. Dowdell sentenced Charles Michael Fox, 44, of Tulsa, to 35 months in federal prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Fox pleaded guilty in December 2019, to receiving and transporting explosive materials with intent to intimidate.
“In an effort to intimidate his wife, Charles Fox sprayed propane on her and throughout his apartment, threatening to blow them up. This fit of domestic rage put at risk the lives of others and resulted in a nearly three year federal prison sentence," said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “I especially want to commend the first responders who quickly and professionally handled this potentially life threatening situation. Job well done by the Tulsa Police Department’s Bomb Squad and Special Operations Division; Tulsa Fire Department’s Engine and Ladder 23 and HAZMAT crews; Emergency Medical Services Authority; and the ATF."
The incident began on Sept. 29, 2019, at the French Villa Apartments, located on Harvard Avenue in Tulsa, and lasted until early the next morning. In his plea agreement, Fox admitted to possessing propane contained in two propane tanks, one of which was modified with a gas hose attached to a regulator valve, enabling it to spray propane. Fox took the propane tanks into his apartment where he sprayed the propane and threatened to blow up the apartment complex in an effort to intimidate his wife.
The Tulsa Police Department’s Bomb Squad and Special Operations Division; Tulsa Fire Department’s Engine and Ladder 23 and HAZMAT crews; Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA); and Oklahoma Natural Gas responded to the incident. The Tulsa Police Department and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert T. Raley prosecuted the case. AUSA Raley is the National Security Anti-Terrorism (ATAC) Prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Oklahoma.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
