Columbus fire officials have charged two men involved in a vacant house explosion, Tuesday morning, on the east side. At least one of the men aligns himself with a movement the FBI reports to be a domestic threat to law enforcement.
Roberto Innis, Jr., 21, and Alphonso Mobley, Jr. 26, both are charged with manufacturing or processing explosives without a license, a second degree felony.
Police and fire were called to South Hampton Road, Tuesday morning, after Innis called 911. Mobley severely injured his hands when chemicals exploded in the house.
When Innis was interviewed later by investigators, Columbus Fire Battalion Chief Steve Martin said, Innis identified himself as a Sovereign Citizen.
“He does not feel that he has to comply with the rules and regulations of the government of the United States or the State of Ohio," Martin said.
The FBI considers sovereign citizens to be extremists.
Martin said samples taken from inside the house pointed to bomb making.
“Were able to identify a few of the components. They determined these were precursors to what people commonly use to make homemade explosives," Martin said.
Martin said investigators are trying to find out why the men had the chemicals.
“Why were they doing it? What was their intention? If they made it, were they going to use? Have they used it before?”
Investigators were back at the scene Wednesday to sweep the property once more. Martin said officials did not find any other chemicals that could pose a change to neighbors.
Fire officials are still trying to find out where the men live on a permanent basis. Martin said Mobley’s father lives in a house on the same street as the vacant home where the men had the chemicals.
Innis is expected in Franklin County Court, Thursday morning, to be arraigned. Mobley remains hospitalized.