TWO CULLMAN MEN CHARGED WITH ARSON AND FEDERAL EXPLOSIVES VIOLATIONS
BIRMINGHAM – A federal grand jury today indicted two Cullman men on arson and other federal explosives charges in relation to pipe bombs detonated in Cullman in early December, announced U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance and ATF Special Agent in Charge Glenn N. Anderson.
The indictment filed in U.S. District Court charges JOSHUA KIRK KUGLER and BILLY SCOTT SIMMONS, both 21, with two counts of arson and five counts of other federal explosives charges.
“The chilling act of setting off powerful explosives in public places threatens horrible injury to anyone who might be in the area,” Vance said. “My office and the ATF view these dangerous actions with zero tolerance and will vigorously prosecute these types of offenses,” she said.
The two arson counts relate to pipe-bomb styled improvised explosive devices, which were detonated at the C & F Car Wash in Cullman and near R.E. Garrison Trucking Company in Vinemont on the night of Dec. 9. The indictment charges that the second explosion damaged device panels and metal housing boxes which are owned by AT&T.
The indictment also charges both men with manufacturing explosive devices, receiving or transporting explosive devices, conspiring to receive or transport explosive devices, and possessing explosive devices which were not registered to them in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
The two men could face a sentence of five to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the arson counts. Each of the other explosives charges carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
KUGLER AND SIMMONS were arrested on federal explosives violations Dec. 17.
The case was investigated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Cullman Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell E. Penfield is prosecuting the case.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only charges. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
