Two Broward County residents were indicted on federal explosives charges.
Benjamin G. Greenberg, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and Peter Forcelli, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, made the announcement.
Bruce McFadden Sr., 50, of Lauderdale Lakes, and Bruce McFadden Jr., 33, of Fort Lauderdale, were charged by Indictment with receiving explosive materials, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(a)(3)(A), and improper storage of explosives, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(j). Bruce McFadden Sr. was also charged with being a felon in possession of explosives, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 842(i)(1).
According to the court record, including allegations contained in the indictment, on or about June 30, 2016, in Broward County, Bruce McFadden Sr. and Bruce McFadden Jr. did knowingly cause to be transported and receive, and did knowingly store explosives, that is, 1.3G fireworks containing black powder, flash powder, a safety fuse, perchlorate explosive mixtures, pyrotechnic compositions, without the required license and permit and not in conformity with regulations. McFadden Sr. was previously convicted of a felony and as such was not lawfully permitted to possess the explosives.
The defendants had their initial appearances today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Patrick M. Hunt. McFadden Sr. is scheduled to have a pre-trial detention hearing on March 14, 2017. McFadden Jr. is scheduled for a bond hearing on March 10, 2017.
An Indictment merely contains allegations, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Mr. Greenberg commended the investigative efforts of the ATF in this matter. Mr. Greenberg also thanked the Lauderhill Fire Department, Lauderhill Police Department and Broward County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rilwan Adeduntan.
Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.