Standoff with pipe bomb and firearm lands felon in prison

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A 36-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been ordered to prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing unregistered pipe bombs, announced U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei.

The jury deliberated for 90 minutes following a three-day trial before finding Robert Spencer guilty Nov. 6, 2024.

U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos has now ordered Spencer to serve a total 180-month-term of imprisonment to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. At the hearing, the court heard additional information about the firearm Spencer possessed, being the firearm used in a murder that occurred earlier the same day.

On Aug. 3, 2022, authorities were investigating a call about shots fired in the area of Nueces and Van Loan Avenue in Corpus Christi. At the sight of law enforcement, Spencer fled into his nearby home, sparking an hour-long standoff. He appeared to be armed. During that time, Spencer yelled at law enforcement to leave the area. Authorities also heard two gunshots. Ultimately, they arrested him after he exited his home, but he did not have a firearm.

Authorities obtained a search warrant for Spencer’s residence and discovered a rifle just outside the home as well as six pipe bombs, three firearms and boxes of ammunition in the attic. He admitted he personally assembled the pipe bombs.

As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition per federal law.

Testing confirmed the pipe bombs were destructive devices as the law defines. The pipe bombs were not properly registered to Spencer in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.

The defense tried to convince the jury he didn’t know of the firearms in his attic, and that the pipe bombs were not effective enough to be considered explosive devices. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.

“The standoff in this case was fortunately resolved peacefully. Nevertheless, this defendant needlessly created a dangerous situation for himself, the police, and the community at large,” said Ganjei. “I would like to thank the jury for their attention and service in this case.”

He will remain in custody pending transfer to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Overman and Ashley Martin prosecuted the case.