Bremerton, Washington, man charged federally for possession of unregistered destructive devices

Tacoma – A 27-year-old Bremerton, Washington, man is now charged federally for possessing Molotov cocktails–unregistered destructive devices–following a traffic stop last December, announced U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran.  DEVAN LEE KLUGE was stopped by Bremerton Police the evening of December 24, 2020, due to an outstanding warrant.  The Molotov cocktails were found in KLUGE’s vehicle’s trunk.  KLUGE has been in state custody since his arrest.  He will make his initial appearance on the federal charge tomorrow (2/25) at 2:30 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.

According to records filed in the case, a Bremerton Police Department officer recognized KLUGE as someone being sought on an escape warrant from the Washington State Department of Corrections.  KLUGE was removed from his car, and he gave permission for officers to search the vehicle.  Inside, officers found three glass jars containing diesel fuel with apparent cloth wicks—devices commonly referred to as “Molotov cocktails,” which are destructive devices under federal law.  In addition to those destructive devices, law enforcement found brass knuckles, a crowbar, bolt cutters, a sledgehammer, walkie-talkie radios, and white plastic full-face masks.

Possession of an unregistered destructive device is punishable by up to ten years in prison.

The charges contained in the complaint 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 Bremerton Police Department with assistance from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Will Dreher.