Two Local Men Indicted on Federal Explosives and Weapons Charges

St. Louis, MO – OLAJUWON DAVIS and BRANDON ORLANDO BALDWIN were indicted on charges involving the conspiracy to maliciously damage and destroy, by means of explosives, a building, vehicle and other property and the illegal purchase of firearms at a local Cabela’s store. They were originally indicted in November on one felony count of making false written statements in connection with a firearms purchase. The additional charges in the superseding indictment were returned yesterday, April 1, 2015.

According to the indictment, between September 2014 and November 21, 2014, Davis and Baldwin conspired to obtain what they believed were explosives or bombs. The indictment states that on November 8, 2014, Baldwin stated that he wanted multiple bombs to use against people, buildings, vehicles and property. On November 12, 2014, both Davis and Baldwin viewed a recording of the detonation of an explosive or bomb. On November 18, 2014 Davis paid a deposit and agreed to purchase what he believed were three explosives or bombs. Days later, Davis and Baldwin traveled to a location where Davis took possession of items he believed were explosives or bombs. Both men were then arrested and have been in custody since that time.

Additionally, the indictment charges Davis and Baldwin with conspiring between September 2014, and November 21, 2014, to obtain firearms for other persons by making false and fictitious statements to a licensed firearms dealer, Cabela’s store in Hazelwood, Missouri. Baldwin claimed to be buying firearms for himself when they were really for other persons.

"The arrests last November of these two defendants, who are members of the St. Louis Chapter of the New Black Panther Party, prevented their alleged plot to carry out violent acts during the protests in Ferguson," said Special Agent in Charge William P. Woods of the FBI St. Louis Division.

Olajuwon Davis and Brandon Orlando Baldwin, both of St. Louis, were indicted by a federal grand jury on one felony count each of conspiracy to damage or destroy a building, vehicle and other property by use of an explosive, conspiracy to make false written statements in connection with the purchase of firearms and the transfer of firearms to a felon and two felony counts of making false written statements in connection with a firearms purchase.  If convicted, these charges carry penalties ranging from 5 to 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.    

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; St Louis County Police Department and the St Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt.  Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.