Federal Grand Jury Indicts Nevada Native Arrested in Seattle with Stolen Truck, Weapons, and Homemade Explosives
Truck and Weapons Reported Stolen by Butte, Montana Man

A 22-year-old man who was arrested last week by University of Washington Police in a stolen truck with stolen firearms, body armor, and gasoline incendiary devices was charged federally by the grand jury this morning, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Justin Miles Jasper, will make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Seattle at 1:30 on Thursday July 11, 2013. Jasper is charged with five counts: transportation of a stolen vehicle; possession of a stolen vehicle; possession of stolen firearms; possession of destructive devices; and possession of explosives during the commission of a felony.

Jasper was arrested on July 3, 2013, near the UW campus in Seattle. He was driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 pick-up truck with Montana plates. The truck had been reported stolen by the owner in Butte, Montana. Inside the truck police found a Stevens Model 311A double-barrel, 12-gauge shotgun with no serial number and a Mauser Model 1895 bolt-action rifle. Both guns had been stolen from the same owner as the truck. The truck also contained destructive devices commonly referred to as “Molotov cocktails.”

Four of the counts in the indictment have a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Possession of explosives during the commission of a felony carries a mandatory minimum 10 year sentence in addition to any other sentence imposed in the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are only allegations. A person is presumed innocent unless and until he or she is proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The case is being investigated by the FBI, the UW Police Department and the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg.

Press contact Thomas Bates at (206) 553-7970 or Thomas.Bates@usdoj.gov.