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Press Release

D'Hanis Man Charged With Manufacturing Pipe Bombs

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

Earlier today, federal agents arrested 20-year-old Michael Keich, of D’Hanis, TX, for manufacturing an unregistered weapon and manufacture of an explosive without a license announced United States Attorney Robert Pitman and FBI Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division.

While executing a search warrant at the defendant’s residence this morning, FBI and ATF special agents recovered a pipe bomb as well as materials used in the production of  explosive devices.  According to the criminal complaint filed in this case, Keich admitted that he manufactured pipe bombs despite knowing that such activity was illegal.

Upon conviction, Keich faces up to ten years in federal prison.  He remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing later this week.

This investigation is being conducted by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives, Uvalde County Sheriff’s Office, and the Medina County Sheriff’s Office.  Bombs squads from the FBI and San Antonio Police Department rendered the suspected device safe outside the defendant’s residence.  Special Assistant United States Attorney Carah Helwig is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.

A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Updated December 15, 2014