Thurmont Man Pleads Guilty In Bombing Of Police Car

He’s expected to be sentenced in late July.

 

Baltimore, Md (KM) A plea was entered Monday in federal court by a Thurmont man who blew up a police vehicle nearly two years ago. The US Attorney’s Office for Maryland says Kyle Mueller, 24, pleaded guilty to one court of malicious use of explosive materials.

Mueller was arrested in August 5th, 2016 for placing a bomb under the hood of a police SUV which exploded, according to his plea agreement presented in US District Court in Baltimore.

The statement of facts in the case presented by federal prosecutors says on August 3rd, 2016 at 12:03 AM, a pipe bomb detonated on the hood of the marked police which was parked in front of a house on Clarke Avenue in Thurmont. The vehicle was unoccupied at the time. There were no injuries, but the debris from the explosion entered the residence where a police officer lived. Some entered a bush in front of the home, and others  went through the front picture window of the home, according to the statement of facts in the case.

Federal officials say Mueller purchased black powder and a roll of cannon fuse on July 20th, 2016 from Hunter’s Den, a firearms store in Waynesboro, Pa. He also bought the pipes and end caps  at the Home Depot in Frederick.

When he was arrested, according to the plea agreement, Mueller waived his rights, and admitted he purchased the black powder, pipes and end caps to construct the bomb. He also admitted he built the explosive device, and was in the area of Clarke Avenue on August 3rd when the bomb exploded.

The plea agreement was signed by Mueller and his attorney, and presented to the court on Monday, April 30th.

The US Attorney’s Office says sentencing is expected in late July. Federal prosecutors say, as part of the plea agreement, they will be asking for 10 years incarceration for Mueller, along with a $250,000 fine and three-years of supervised release. But they say the District Court is not a party to this plea agreement, and  a judge could impose a different sentence.

 

By Kevin McManus