(FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE)
 
 

Lafayette, Louisiana . . . United States Attorney Donald W. Washington announced that TYLER JOSEPH STEPHENS, II, age 20, of Lafayette, Louisiana, was sentenced on April 18, 2002, by United States District Judge Tucker L. Melancon for failing to pay a federal tax due before making an improvised explosive devise commonly known as a “pipe bomb.”   Federal law requires a person to pay a $200 tax to the United States Treasury before making a destructive device such as a pipe bomb.  STEPHENS was sentenced to three (3) years probation with conditions that he refrain from use of illegal drugs or alcohol, attend weekly meetings at Alcoholics Anonymous, stay current on his child support payments, undergo random drug testing and not commit any other violations of the law.

On September 2, 2001, STEPHENS’ mother notified the Lafayette City Marshall’s office that she had found what appeared to be a pipe bomb at her house located in a suitcase owned by STEPHENS.  The City Marshall notified Louisiana State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms for assistance in handling the device.  After the device was rendered safe, agents discovered that the pipe was filled with gun powder and the device contained a switch, battery, and wiring for remote detonation.  It was later determined that the device was a destructive device and firearm regulated by federal law.

STEPHENS pled guilty to a Bill of Information on January 24, 2002 charging him with a felony violation of the tax code, namely willfully avoiding payment of a federal tax due before making a pipe bomb.   At the guilty plea hearing, Stephens admitted to illegally making and possessing an explosive device known as a “pipe bomb,” made from a section of galvanized steel pipe, having a threaded end cap attached at both ends, containing explosive powder, and configured for use with an electrical detonation system.

This investigation was conducted by the Lafayette City Marshal’s office, Lafayette Police Department, Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Baton Rouge Field Office.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph T. Mickel.

For further information, please contact United States Attorney Donald W. Washington at (337) 262-6618 or First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Flanagan at (318) 676-3600.

This and other press releases issued by the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana can be found at our website at www.usdoj.gov/usao/law.

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