An Albuquerque resident has been charged with illegal possession of an improvised explosive device after authorities found a modified hand grenade in his home.
According to court documents, on December 31, 2025, the Albuquerque Police Department responded to a northwest Albuquerque residence where Jeff Bramlett, 46, had requested medical assistance. While at the scene, officers noticed what appeared to be hand grenades and called for support from FBI Special Agent Bomb Technicians. Agents found two devices in the living room: one resembling a pineapple-shaped MK 2 fragmentation grenade and another similar to an M26 fragmentation grenade. Both were equipped with functional military training fuzes.
On January 7, 2026, bomb technicians from the FBI and APD safely disassembled the devices. They determined that one was a functional grenade containing granulated black powder that reacted positively during a flame test, confirming it as explosive material.
Bramlett faces charges for possessing a destructive device (grenade) not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. He is being held pending trial. If convicted, he could receive up to ten years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: "First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today."
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Teleky.
Court documents related to this case are available:
View the Criminal Complaint (Bramlett).pdf
View the Indictment (Bramlett).pdf
Authorities remind that an indictment or criminal complaint is only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
