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Press Release

Federal Grand Jury Formalizes Charges Against Thaddeus Murphy, Man Responsible For Placing Explosive Type Device At Colorado Springs Building

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado

Click here for a copy Thaddeus Murphy's indictment

DENVER – Thaddeus Cheyenne Murphy, age 44, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver yesterday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, ATF and Colorado Springs Police Department announced.  Murphy is believed responsible for placing a device at 603 South El Paso Street in Colorado Springs.  Murphy is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Watanabe at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning (Wednesday, February 25, 2015) in the Arraj Federal Courthouse, 901 19th Street, for a detention hearing and arraignment.  During the detention portion of the hearing the government will argue that the defendant is a danger to the community and should be held without bond.  That decision will be made by Magistrate Judge Watanabe.

Because of the indictment, the preliminary hearing originally scheduled for February 27, 2015 has been vacated. 

Count one of the indictment alleges that on January 6, 2015, Murphy did maliciously damage and destroy, or attempt to damage or destroy, by means of fire and an explosive, a building located at 603 South El Paso Street in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and such real property is used in interstate or foreign commerce.  If convicted of that count, Murphy faces not less than 5 years, and up to 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

County two of the indictment alleges that on February 19, 2015, Murphy having been previously convicted of a felony offense knowingly possessed firearms.  If convicted of that count, Murphy faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case is being jointly investigated by the FBI, ATF and the Colorado Springs Police Department with support from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.  The investigation into Murphy’s motive is ongoing.

The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Gregory Holloway and Beth Gibson.

The charges in the Indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.


Updated June 22, 2015