United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

FEDERAL GRAND JURY CHARGES THREE BURLESON, TEXAS,
MEN WITH POSSESSION OF UNREGISTERED FIREARM

DALLAS — Three men who allegedly attempted to ignite an explosive device at a church under construction in Burleson, Texas, now face federal charges, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, of the Northern District of Texas. A federal grand jury returned an indictment today charging Burleson residents, Dayton Lee Calaway, 19, Michael Philip Plaisted, Jr., 18, and Jered Michael Ragon, 18, with one count of possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). If convicted, each of the defendants face a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The defendants are expected to make their initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in Dallas later this week.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that the defendants, aided and abetted by one another, knowingly possessed a firearm, that is a destructive device commonly known as a “Molotov cocktail,” being an incendiary bomb, grenade, or similar device, that consisted of a liquor-type glass bottle containing a liquid and granular mixture of gasoline and chlorine with a wick made of cloth protruding out of the bottle’s mouth.

An indictment is an accusation by a grand jury and a defendant is presumed innocent unless proven otherwise

U.S. Attorney praised the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Burleson Police Department and the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Gary Tromblay.

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