Man who possessed bomb at St. David's hospital sentenced
AUSTIN, Texas - The man who possessed a pipe bomb that detonated in the St. David's hospital garage in Austin was sentenced to federal prison on Friday.
Court documents say that 39-year-old Raymond Luke Garner of Jonestown was sentenced by a federal court in Austin to 30 months in prison for possessing an unregistered destructive device, namely a pipe bomb, that detonated in the garage of St. David's hospital.
RELATED: No injuries reported, man arrested after explosion at St. David's hospital parking garage: APD
According to court documents, on Aug. 9, Garner parked his pickup truck in a parking garage at the hospital. A short time later, there was an explosion in the back of the truck.
Investigators found the remains of a pipe bomb near the truck. They also found a quantity of homemade high explosive circuit boards and timers, electric matches and other items.
A box at Garner's home was later found to contain, among other things, a quantity of the high explosive, precursor chemicals and electric matches.
Searches at other locations revealed a recipe for explosive remote-control devices and other destructive device components.
Garner plead guilty on Oct. 2, 2023.
"The law prohibits the possession of unregistered homemade pipe bombs for a good reason: they put the community at serious risk," said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas. "I appreciate the collaboration of our federal, state and local law enforcement partners in this investigation. Rest assured my office will hold accountable individuals who build and possess these devices in violation of the law."
"Improvised explosive devices are illegal and extremely dangerous," said Special Agent in Charge Mike Weddel for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Houston Division. "ATF is committed to investigating and holding accountable the persons responsible for explosives accidents involving the manufacture of illegal explosive devices which can result in serious injury, death, and extensive damage to property. This incident serves as a prime example of the successful collaboration between all our law enforcement partners."
"Garner’s use of unregistered and unstable explosive material jeopardized the safety of individuals who may have been near his vehicle," said Special Agent in Charge Aaron Tapp of the FBI's San Antonio Field Office. "We are grateful to our partners at the ATF, members of our Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the Austin and Cedar Park Police Departments, for their vigilant work to keep our communities safe."