Published: September 03, 2009 01:52 pm      

Pulaski man found with pipe bomb indicted in federal court

A Pulaski County man police say had a pipe bomb in his home has been indicted in federal court and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Robert Wayne Ware, 31, of Ferguson was indicted Friday on one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device.

On July 9, Somerset Police responded to a 9-1-1 hang-up call at Ware’s home on Jacksboro St.

After receiving permission from Ware to search the home, officers said they found marijuana, pills and several items consistent with manufacturing bombs and what they believed was a pipe bomb in a green plastic container behind the front door.

Agents from Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were contacted.

ATF Special Agent Todd Tremaine said agents found several containers that appeared to contain explosive powders, tools, batteries, CO2 cartridges, scattered rounds of ammunition, spent blasting caps and a book detailing how to make booby traps.

Tremaine said Ware was advised of his rights and agreed to speak with agents, saying he had black powder and other powder used to reload shotgun shells. In addition, Ware told agents there were spent blasting caps, time-fuse, detonation cord and two live blasting caps.

“Ware said he wanted to make ‘a display IED,’” (improvised explosive device) Tremaine said.

Kentucky State Police Hazardous Devices Unit troopers removed the suspected pipe bomb from the home. It was found to be a CO2 cartridge filled with about 6 grams (.21 ounces) of explosive powder with a fuse attached to the end.

Tremaine said Ware admitted to making about 20 such devices. He would take them to Lake Cumberland where he would detonate them.

When asked about the prescription pills found in the home, which included Xanax, Ware told agents he been prescribed the medications.

Ware said the trip wire was attached to a small arms ammunition primer to keep his brother out of the home.

“Ware said when the door opened the primer would fire and would let Ware know his brother was trying to enter the residence,” Tremaine said.

Ware is being held in the in the Pulaski County Detention Center. He will be arraigned Sept. 30.

Dean Manning can be reached at dmanning@sentinel-echo.com