Florida man with pipe bomb pleads guilty to making destructive device

FLORIDA – A Florida man has pleaded guilty to unlawfully making a destructive device after an undercover officer allegedly purchased a pipe bomb from him.

United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has announced that James John Hall, 34, of Zephyrhills, has pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully making a firearm (destructive device). Hall faces up to 10 years in prison. Hall has also agreed to forfeit the destructive device, which includes a pipe, Tannerite, pyrotechnic powder, and pyrotechnic fuse.

According to court documents, on November 1 and 2, 2022, Hall spoke on the phone with a man to whom he had sold firearms in the past. In these conversations, Hall offered to sell the man a “pipe bomb” that Hall had built. Hall shared with the man that he had contemplated using the “pipe bomb” to target an individual with whom he was angry.

The man with whom Hall was communicating reportedly was a confidential informant with the Pasco Sherriff’s Office. The confidential informant reached out to the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, which then coordinated further investigation with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

According to court documents, later in the evening on November 2, the confidential informant and an undercover Pasco Sheriff’s detective met with Hall, where the detective purchased the “pipe bomb.” When asked about future purchases, Hall indicated he “had enough to build six more now.” Hall also indicated that the device he was selling to the detective had a magnet on the bottom of it.

The suspected destructive device was disassembled by ATF bomb technicians, which reportedly revealed a metal pipe sealed at both ends with end caps and filled with suspected pyrotechnic powder, with a suspected pyrotechnic fuse inserted into one of the end caps.

The ATF said the pipe was taped to suspected mixed explosive materials. The ATF said further analysis concluded that the device was designed to function as a weapon and would be characterized as both an improvised explosive bomb and destructive device.

No records were found for Hall in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, indicating he was unlawfully in possession of the device, said the ATF.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman is prosecuting it.