Feds Say EMT in Texas Blast Had Bomb Parts

WACO, Texas (CN) - An EMT who responded to the fertilizer plant explosion that destroyed part of West, Texas, was charged with illegal possession of "the components of a pipe bomb."

Brian Ashley Reed, 31, was arrested late last week after McLennan County sheriff's officers found "an assortment of bomb making components" in a house in Abbott, Texas, the Department of Justice said in a statement.

"The complaint alleges that Reed had given the components to the resident on April 26, 2013," the Justice Department said.

Reed was arrested at his home in West late Thursday afternoon.

The Justice Department said it "will not speculate whether the possession of the unregistered destructive device has any connection to the West fertilizer plant explosion on April 17, 2013."

If convicted, Reed could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison and fined $250,000.

At least 15 people were killed, more than 160 were hurt and more than 150 buildings were destroyed or damages when the West Fertilizer Co. exploded and burned on April 17. Ammonium nitrate caused the explosion.

An affidavit from a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent is attached to the criminal complaint for possession of an unregistered explosive device.

The agent wrote that "Reed admitted to possessing the components of the pipe bomb."

According to the affidavit, the pipe bomb is 3½ by 1½ inches, with two end caps, one with a hole drilled in it, a fuse, and "several pounds of chemical powders in individual bags. These powders included potassium nitrate, aluminum powder, red iron oxide, ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, sulfur powder, air float charcoal and Eckart 10890 German dark aluminum. After further investigation, it was determined that the resident had unwittingly taken possession of the components from Reed on April 26, 2013."

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