Northfield Vermont Man Charged With Unlawfully Possessing And Transferring Explosives

The Office of the United States Attorney for the District of Vermont stated that Mark McCloud, 45, of Northfield, Vermont has been charged in United States District Court with: (1) unlawfully possessing explosive devices; and, (2) unlawfully transferring an explosive device, in violation of federal law.

According to a Criminal Complaint and Affidavit filed today, the United States alleges that on December 9, 2015 McCloud lit an explosive device he was holding in his hand outside his residence in Northfield. The device exploded and McCloud lost his left hand and multiple bystanders were injured. The United States alleges the explosive device was made of copper tubing and explosive powder. According to the complaint affidavit, in executing a search warrant at McCloud’s residence, law enforcement officers found several feet of fusing materials consisting of fusing material commonly known as “quick match” or “instantaneous fuse.”

The United States also alleges that earlier that day McCloud gave one of these explosive devices to a neighbor and therefore, unlawfully transferred the explosive device. The Vermont State Police removed this device from the neighbor’s residence and it is currently being stored in an explosive bunker pending further analysis.

The District Court issued a summons for McCloud to appear for an initial appearance on December 21, 2015. If convicted, McCloud faces a maximum possible penalty of ten years in prison for each charge and fines of up to $250,000. If convicted, McCloud’s actual sentence will be advised by the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.

This matter is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”), the Vermont State Police, and the Northfield Police Department. The United States is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Perella.