Coatesville Man Charged with Manufacturing and Dealing Explosive Materials

Ryan Joseph Hribick, 32, of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, was charged yesterday by indictment with one count of possession of unregistered firearms, one count of manufacturing and dealing explosive materials, one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, and one count of witness tampering, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger.

According to the indictment, Hribick possessed, manufactured, and dealt cardboard tube improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for several years. After federal agents searched his home, Hribick allegedly instructed and conspired with others to destroy and conceal cardboard tubes and flash powder—which Hribick was using to manufacture IEDs—so as to keep that evidence from federal agents and the federal grand jury. In addition, the indictment alleges that Hribick attempted to influence the testimony of a federal grand jury witness regarding the destruction and concealment of evidence.

This case has been assigned to United States District Judge Robert F. Kelly.

If convicted of all counts, Hribick faces a maximum possible sentence of 60 years in prison, a $1 million fine, three years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation Division, the Philadelphia Police Bomb Disposal Unit, the Montgomery County Bomb Squad, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the East Whiteland Police Department, the East Whiteland Fire Department, the West Caln Police Department, the Malvern Fire Department, and the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vineet Gauri.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.