San Antonio Pipe Bomb Investigation Leads to Felon’s Arrest, Alleged Discovery of Home Explosives Lab

SAN ANTONIO - A San Antonio felon was arrested today in San Antonio on criminal charges related to his alleged possession of firearms and explosives.

According to court documents, Dustin Jay Ammons was identified as an individual who placed pipe bombs at the external ATMs of two San Antonio banks on Sept. 12 and Sept. 26. The suspect had attempted to breach the machines with the explosives and a field analysis of the white powder residue found in the area of the ATMs determined the presence of PentaErythritolTetraNitrate (PETN).

On Dec. 12, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant on Ammons's residence, assisted by the FBI, San Antonio Fire Department Arson Bureau, San Antonio Police Department, the Bexar County Fire Department, Bexar County Fire Marshals and Bexar County Emergency Management.

During the search, agents allegedly discovered a .40 caliber pistol in Ammons's closet. A criminal complaint filed Friday afternoon alleges that agents also found parts and components of a destructive device, specifically a pipe bomb, inside Ammons's vehicle, which matched the description of the suspect's vehicle from the two September incidents. Additionally, the complaint alleges that Ammons had supplies consistent with making PETN and other homemade explosives in his garage, including precursors and beakers. The complaint further alleges that agents discovered multiple suspected destructive devices in various stages of manufacture, and a short-barreled 9mm rifle.

Ammons was previously convicted for possession of a stolen firearm. He is now charged with one count of felon in possession of a firearm as well as one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas made the announcement.

The ATF is investigating the case with assistance from the FBI and SAPD.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting the case.

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