Explosive Devices Found in Tennessee Home, 54-Year-Old Man Arrested on Multiple Charges

A Tennessee sheriff's office has apprehended a 54-year-old man accused of threatening public officials and law enforcement personnel, after discovering 14 improvised explosive devices in his home. Detectives along with sheriff's deputies accompanied to O'Neal's residence to arrest him on active warrants. The deputies noticed something was burning in the bedroom, which turned out to be an IED, prompting assistance from the state's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, as well as local bomb squad officers. The search led to the discovery of 14 IEDs and a woman hiding in a dryer.

Key Takeaways:

• 14 improvised explosive devices were found in Kevin Wade O'Neal's home, with the potential to send shrapnel flying 2,500 feet.
• O'Neal allegedly planned to detonate the devices when law enforcement arrived, putting nine deputies and two women in the house in serious danger.
• He faces numerous charges, including 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder, 14 counts of prohibited weapons, and one count of possession of explosive components.
• O'Neal made threatening posts on social media, including one in July where he supposedly mentioned his intent to kill the Polk County Sheriff, Steve Ross.
• The sheriff's office discovered the IEDs and a woman hiding in a dryer while searching O'Neal's property, with the investigation prompting a comprehensive search by the state's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and local bomb squad officers.

Statistics:

• 14 improvised explosive devices found in O'Neal's home.
• 2,500 feet distance the shrapnel could have flown had the bombs detonated.
• 11 counts of attempted first-degree murder charges against O'Neal.
• 14 counts of prohibited weapons charges against O'Neal.
• 1 count of possession of explosive components against O'Neal.

Sources:

• Polk County Sheriff's Office
• NBC News
• ABC News 9