A King County man was sentenced on Apr. 27 in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 18 months in prison for unlawful possession of a destructive device that led to the closure of Interstate 90, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd. Sokphana Soeung, age 42, was arrested on October 12, 2024 after a slow-speed police chase and confrontation where he displayed a tennis ball explosive and a lighter.
The sentencing highlights concerns about public safety when dangerous devices are used during law enforcement encounters. Judge John H. Chun said at the hearing that Soeung “displayed an alarming disrespect for the law and posed a risk to the community. Someone could have been badly hurt, including yourself.”
According to court records, Bellevue Police responded to Enatai Beach Park around noon after reports of two men sleeping in a running car. When officers approached, Soeung drove away and ran over spike strips deployed by police before entering Interstate 90 westbound with all four tires punctured. Washington State Patrol joined the pursuit until troopers stopped the vehicle on Mercer Island.
Soeung exited his car holding what appeared to be an explosive device and lighter before being tackled by police officers. Authorities determined that one item was a tennis ball filled with explosive powder and equipped with a fuse; another homemade device made from sparklers taped together was found inside the car.
The investigation caused I-90 to close for an extended period while bomb squad members ensured there was no threat posed by these devices or danger to motorists using the bridge at that time.
Prosecutors requested two years imprisonment citing Soeung’s criminal history linked with drug addiction: “The defendant’s decision to possess an explosive device and utilize it in the manner that he did on October 12, 2024, is alarming. Fleeing from law enforcement on a major interstate brimming with unsuspecting drivers in stolen car while high on fentanyl is concerning enough. Electing to flee on foot with a tennis ball 'bomb' and lighter in hand placed everyone present at risk of injury or worse, including the defendant.”
The case involved cooperation between Bellevue Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Y. Gregson.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington promotes community safety through programs addressing gun violence and online threats according to its official website. The office operates out of Seattle and Tacoma according to its official website, as part of the U.S Department of Justice according to its official website. About 85 attorneys work alongside roughly 70 support staff according to its official website, handling federal prosecutions as well as civil litigation according to its official website throughout western Washington regions such as Seattle and Tacoma according to its official website. The office enforces federal criminal laws working closely with law enforcement agencies; it also provides legal counsel for federal government matters while protecting civil rights—staffing more than 150 people overall—and leads federal drug court programs according to its official website.
