Jackson, TN – A federal grand jury has returned a five-count indictment against Jonathan Edward White, 40, for manufacture, possession, and transfer of an explosive device in violation of the National Firearms Act. U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant announced the indictment today.
On August 24, 2018, TBI Special Agents began investigating a series of threats posted on social media by Jonathan Edward White, of Hardin County. During the course of the investigation, agents determined that White may be in possession of an explosive device. That same evening, White met with agents working in an undercover capacity and provided them with a pipe bomb. Special Operations personnel from the Tennessee Highway Patrol responded and rendered the explosive device safe. Jonathan White was arrested without incident and charged with one count of Possession of a Prohibited Weapon under state law. He was booked into the Hardin County Jail on a $500,000 bond. In the resulting federal investigation, the ATF Explosives Enforcement Branch examined the device and determined it to be an explosive bomb which qualifies as a prohibited destructive device, as defined by Title 26, USC, § 5845.
The federal indictment charges that White knowingly and unlawfully made, possessed, and transferred a prohibited destructive device, more commonly known as a pipe bomb, in violation of Title 26, USC, § 5861 and 5871.
If convicted, White faces up to 10 years imprisonment; 3 years supervised release; and a $250,000 fine.
U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said: "This office, along with our law enforcement partners, takes all bomb threats seriously, and we are vigilant to protect and prevent property damage, bodily injury, and death from any explosive device in West Tennessee. We commend the quick, thorough, and coordinated response of all of the federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation."
This case was investigated by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office; Savannah Police Department; Tennessee Bureau of Investigation; Tennessee Highway Patrol; Tennessee Department of Public Safety and Homeland Security; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
This case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee on behalf of the government.
The charges and allegations in this indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.