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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Pike County man arrested after police discovered his plan to blow up the county courthouse now faces federal charges.
Kerry A. Thomas, of Oakland City, is charged in the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana, with possession of a destructive device. During a Nov. 1 search of his home, police found a PVC pipe containing a blasting cap, a cast booster, a degraded cast booster, and detonation cord. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives determined those materials constitute a destructive device as defined under federal law.
Under state law, Thomas is charged with Class A felony unlawful possession of a destructive device or explosive to kill, injure, or to destroy property; and Class C felony unlawful possession of a destructive device.
The U.S. Attorney Office also announced Thomas faces a charge of possession of unregistered machine guns. The complaint alleges that on March 16, 2009, Thomas illegally had three machine guns that weren't registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Police searched Thomas' home to find evidence relating to the murder of Patrick E. King when they found the bomb-making materials. Allegedly Thomas told at least two people he planned to set a bomb off in the Pike Circuit Court courtroom to kill himself and others if he was found guilty at his trial Nov. 4.
Thomas was on trial for criminal confinement, intimidation, pointing a firearm, and battery stemming from an incident in March, according to the Pike County Clerk's Office.
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