A 22-year-old Elkhart man has been arrested, charged in connection with the Mishawaka pipe bomb discovery on Monday, Jan. 29. The devices were discovered in the area of Grape Road and Indian Ridge. The devices were safely destroyed by authorities.
The following news release about the charges filed was issued by the U.S. Department of Justice:
SOUTH BEND – Jacob Ryan Underwood, 22, of Elkhart, Indiana was charged by Criminal Complaint with possession of a firearm, namely a destructive device, which is not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record announced United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch II.
United States Attorney Kirsch said, “Destructive devices, such as pipe bombs, are not only illegal, but present an imminent danger to life and property. The US Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who possess and attempt to detonate devices like these.”
Based upon the investigation, the complaint alleged that: Jacob Underwood assisted in constructing one pipe bomb; he watched as two pipe bombs were made and; that he later threw those two pipe bombs out of a car window while he was in Mishawaka, which are believed to be the two pipe bombs found on January 29, 2018. Investigators also received information that Underwood had detonated a pipe bomb outside of his residence, and they found a garbage can outside of his residence that appeared to be damaged by an explosive device.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasized that a Complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons charged arepresumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty in court.
If convicted in court, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with the assistance of the Indiana State Police, Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department, South Bend Police Department, Elkhart County Interdiction and Covert Enforcement Unit, Mishawaka Police Department, and the St. Joseph County Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Molly E. Donnelly.
