Federal officials say he transported a bomb to injured a romantic rival.
Hampstead, Md (KM) A suspect has been charged in connection with a bombing last year in Carroll County. During a news conference on Thursday, Acting US Attorney For Maryland, Jonathan Lenzner, said a criminal complaint has been filed against Clayton Alexander McCoy, 30, of Chesterland, Ohio. “Mr. McCoy has been charged with transporting explosive devices with intent to injure. And he’s been charged with using a destructive device in relation to a crime of violence,” Lenzner says.
The criminal complaint was filed on March 3rd, 2021, and unsealed on Thursday. He will have an initial court appearance on Friday March 12th, in US District Court in Cleveland, Ohio. He will be transported to Maryland for an initial appearance in US District Court in Baltimore at a later date.
Lenzner says McCoy had a package delivered to a home in Manchester in October 30th, 2020. When the victim opened the package, it exploded, striking him in the front of his body with shrapnel. The victim suffered injuries to his chest, legs and the front of his body.
He was transported to the hospital. “The victim was relapsed from the hospital more than two weeks after the bomb exploded, which reflects not only the severity of his injuries, but also the lethalness of McCoy’s bomb,” says Lenzner.
The US Attorney’s Office says the investigation determined this device was likely a pipe bomb containing shrapnel.
“The evidence suggests that defendant targeted this victim because of the victim’s relationship with a woman with whom McCoy had feelings,” Lenzner says. The woman did not have similar feelings for McCoy, federal officials say..
Lenzner points out that the hard work of investigators led to the arrest of a suspect in this bombing. “Cases involving explosions often take months, even years to solve,” he says. “And we are all very grateful with the speed and deliberation by this law enforcement team to put this case together..”
In addition to the US Attorney’s Office, other agencies which worked on the case included the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office and State’s Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Maryland State Fire Marshal’s Office.
If convicted, McCoy could be sentenced to a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for transporting explosives with intent to injure, and a mandatory minimum of 30 years a maximum of life for using, carrying and possessing a destructive device during and in relation to a crime of violence.
By Kevin McManus