Federal charges have been filed against a Florida man after authorities claim he sold a pipe-bomb he had built at his home to an undercover investigator for $800.
James John Hall, 34, was arrested in Florida after a Tampa detective with an FBI task force reported that Hall had told a confidential informant that he was the owner of a homemade pipe bomb at home. WTVT TV reported.
According to a confidential source, Hall was their acquaintance last year. He sold them marijuana. Hall showed him a photograph of the bomb, which consisted of three or four plastic jars that were taped together and covered with camouflage.
Hall was speaking with an informant from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and he reached out to the sheriff’s department, prompting another coordinated investigation with the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives(ATF). Hall met an undercover Pasco Sheriff’s Detective to purchase the pipe bomb and a Glock 17 pistol that Hall had made available for sale.
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James John Hall, Zephyrhills (Florida), left; pipe bomb . (Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, and ATF via WTVT TV)
“When Hall was asked about future purchases, he indicated that he had enough money to build six more,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Florida stated in a release. Hall also stated that the device he sold to the undercover detective contained a magnet at the bottom, as it was “meant to be used by somebody else.”
According to the release, the bomb was deconstructed by ATF technicians.
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James John Hall (34), is currently facing federal bomb-making charges .
Authorities stated that the disassembly revealed a metal tube with end caps at both ends. It was filled with suspected pyrotechnic dust and a suspected fuse. The pipe was taped to conceal the presence of mixed explosive materials. ATF discovered no records for Hall in National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record. This indicated that Hall was in illegal possession of the device.
According to the criminal complaint, Hall faces one count each of unlicensed distribution and explosive materials, one count each of possessing an unregistered destructive instrument and one count each of unlawfully making a destructive device.
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James John Hall (Pasco County Sheriff’s Office
Hall could spend up to 10 years in federal jail for each of the charges if convicted.
