Texas Man Charged with Unlawfully Possessing Destructive Devices
| U.S. Attorney’s Office May 02, 2011 |
HOUSTON—A 64-year-old Cypress, Texas man has been arrested and charged with unlawfully possessing detonating cord and electric blasting caps, United States Attorney José Angel Moreno and FBI Houston acting Special Agent in Charge Russ Robinson announced today.
George Kelton McCullough, 64, of Cypress, Texas, was arrested at his Cypress home on Friday, April 29, 2011, following the issuance of a warrant upon the filing of a criminal complaint under seal. The complaint was unsealed today following McCullough’s appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Mary Milloy. McCullough has been ordered to remain in federal custody pending a preliminary examination and detention hearing. The court has ordered McCullough to next appear in court on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. for counsel determination.
The charge against McCullough arises from his having possessed 800 feet of 20-50 grain linear detonating cord and four electric blasting caps without a license as required by law. Detonating cord is a thin, flexible, plastic tube filled with a compressed explosive powder which explodes at a rate approximately 25,000 feet per second and is generally used to synchronize explosive charges for mining, drilling, demolitions, and military applications. A license issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is required to possess such devices which, according to the complaint, McCullough did not have. No additional devices or explosive materials have been found in McCullough’s home or a storage facility.
The charge of unlawful possession of a destructive device in violation of the National Firearms Act carries a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation leading to the charges was conducted by the FBI Houston Office and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark W. White III is prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.