Pasco County man built, sold homemade pipe bomb to undercover detective, ATF says
Booking image for James John Hall (Photo courtesy: Pasco County Sheriff's Office/ATF)
ZEPHYRHILLS, Fla. - A Zephyrhills man is facing federal charges after he built a pipe bomb and sold it to an undercover detective for $800, according to investigators.
Wednesday, ATF officials announced the arrest of 34-year-old James John Hall. The investigation began last week when a Tampa police detective, who is part of an FBI task force, contacted ATF, saying a confidential source (CS) was in contact with Hall.
According to the federal complaint, Hall told the source he was in possession of a homemade pipe bomb at his Zephyrhills home on 10th Street.
The ATF agent contacted the CS, who said they became acquainted with Hall through a relative last year. During that time, they were purchasing marijuana from Hall, officials said. The CS received a photo of the pipe bomb, which revealed three to four plastic jars painted in camouflage and taped together with a pipe on top.
Read the full federal complaint here
"During ensuing conversations with Hall, the CS learned that Hall had contemplated using the pipe bomb to target an individual identified only as ‘Kiko,’" the complaint read in part. "Hall complained that he had sold a gun to Kiko that Kiko later dropped during a robbery. Hall claimed police had traced the gun back to him and had questioned him about the robbery."
A Pasco County detective joined the investigation and met with Hall to purchase the explosive device.
"A deal was set up for Paul to sell the pipe bomb for $800," explained Roger Handberg, U.S. State Attorney of the Middle District of Florida. "On Nov. 2, just one day after Hall had first contacted the confidential source about the pipe bomb an undercover officer with the Pasco sheriff’s office purchased the pipe bomb. At the meeting, Paul also offered to sell a firearm with the undercover officer also purchased."
Investigators say, when asked about future purchases, Hall indicated he "had enough to build six more now." (Photos courtesy: Pasco County Sheriff's Office/ATF)
The detective asked Hall if he could build another device, according to the federal complaint, to which Hall replied, "I got enough to build six more."
Officials said the confidential informant received a text message from Hall with an image of a "Glock switch." According to ATF, the switch could be used to convert a Glock pistol to a machine gun. This weapon requires registration, and a search of the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record conducted on Nov. 2, revealed no records for Hall.
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After purchase, the device was disassembled by ATF bomb technicians. According to the ATF, the disassembly and examination of the device revealed a metal pipe that was sealed at both ends (with end caps) and filled with suspected pyrotechnic powder, with a suspected pyrotechnic fuse inserted into one of the end caps. The pipe was taped to suspected mixed explosive materials.
According to the ATF, the disassembly and examination of the device revealed a metal pipe that was sealed at both ends (with end caps) and filled with suspected pyrotechnic powder, with a suspected pyrotechnic fuse inserted into one of the end caps.
ATF says it found no records for Hall in the National Firearm Registration and Transfer Record, indicating he was unlawfully in possession of the device.
"These federal charges are serious," Hanberg said. "Preliminary investigation shows this device was meant to detonate…particles would act as projectiles."
Hall faces charges of distribution of explosive materials, possession of a firearm not registered, and the unlawful making of a firearm.