Jonestown TX Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device

A Jonestown man pleaded guilty in a federal court in Austin today to possessing an unregistered destructive device, namely a pipe bomb, that detonated in a hospital parking garage.

According to court documents, on Aug. 9, Raymond Luke Garner, 38, parked his pickup truck in a parking garage at St. David’s Hospital in Austin. A short time later, there was an explosion in the back of Garner’s truck. Investigators found the remains of a pipe bomb near the truck. They also found a quantity of a homemade high explosive, circuit boards/timers, electric matches, and other items. 

While he was detained by police, Garner contacted another individual to ask that person to move a box out of Garner’s home. That box was later found to contain, among other things, a quantity of the high explosive, precursor chemicals, and electric matches. Searches at other locations revealed a recipe for the high explosive, remote control devices, and other components for destructive devices.  Garner has admitted that he was in possession of an unregistered destructive device on Aug. 9.

Garner pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered destructive device and faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza of the Western District of Texas; FBI Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr., San Antonio Division; and ATF Special Agent in Charge Fred J. Milanowski, Houston Division, made the announcement.