Habersham County Woman Pleads Guilty to Making Pipe Bombs

GAINESVILLE, GA—Celia Alchemy Savage pleaded guilty in federal district court to making and possessing two pipe bombs found at her residence that were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Registry, as is required by federal law.

“This defendant said she made and detonated pipe bombs as a hobby,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates. “Making bombs out of heavy metal pipe, explosive powder, and fuses is a serious crime, not a hobby, that carries significant penalties.”

“The plea today is another reminder that ATF and our law enforcement partners will hold individuals accountable for any criminal behavior, especially that which threatens the safety of innocent civilians,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Shaefer.

According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: Savage came to the attention of federal agents after a concerned citizen reported seeing what appeared to be explosive devices in Savage’s home. Federal agents applied for and received a search warrant to search Savage’s residence. When federal, state, and local agents executed the search warrant on May 30, 2012, they found two completed pipe bombs, firearms, small amounts of controlled substances, drug paraphernalia, and material to manufacture more explosive devices in a bedroom. Savage was present at her residence when the search warrant was executed. She admitted that she had previously manufactured approximately five to seven pipe bombs of various sizes at her residence. She described the bedroom where the pipe bombs, materials for making more explosive devices, drugs, and drug paraphernalia were found as her “lab.” She also stated that she knew that it was unlawful to manufacture explosive devices but that she had a passion for it and considered manufacturing and detonating explosive devices to be her hobby.

Savage, 24, of Cornelia, Georgia, was indicted on June 26, 2012, on one count of making two unregistered pipe bombs, one count of possessing two unregistered pipe bombs, and one count of being a prohibited person in possession of firearms. Today, Savage pleaded guilty to making and possessing the pipe bombs. She could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000. In addition, she could be ordered to serve up to six years of supervised release after any term of imprisonment.

In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders. In the negotiated plea agreement filed in court today, the government and the defendant agreed to jointly recommend a calculation of the Sentencing Guidelines that could result in an advisory Sentencing Guidelines range of 57-71 months of incarceration. However, Savage retains her right to advocate at her sentencing hearing for a sentence that is below the advisory Sentencing Guidelines range.

Sentencing will be scheduled before United States District Judge Richard W. Story after a pre-sentence report is prepared.

This case was investigated by special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney William L. McKinnon, Jr. is prosecuting the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.Presse-mails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.