Valley Man Enters Guilty Plea for Possession and Transport of an Improvised Explosive Device

PHOENIX—Jeffrey Harbin, 28, of Apache Junction, Ariz., pleaded guilty yesterday to possession of unregistered destructive devices and the unlawful transportation of explosive material in federal district court in Phoenix. Sentencing is set before U.S. District Judge Neil V. Wake on December 13, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.

Harbin had been charged with possessing and transporting a destructive device which constituted explosive material on January 14, 2011. He had created this device using a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) encasement filled with a black powder consistent with modern gunpowder, ball bearings, and an improvised fusing system. The inclusion and placement of the ball bearings within the device rendered it capable of maximizing both injury and fatality.

A conviction for each of these counts carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, a $250,000 fine, or both. In determining an actual sentence, Judge Wake will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges. The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

The investigation preceding the indictment was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and members of the Phoenix Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). The prosecution is being handled by Josh Patrick Parecki, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER: CR 11-0163-PHX-NVW
RELEASE NUMBER: 2011-221(Harbin)