PEORIA, Ill. – A Pekin man accused of being in possession of homemade pipe bombs and a gun is in federal custody.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of Illinois says 34-year-old Dalton Mattus is charged with unlawful possession of homemade explosive devices and possessing a firearm as a felon.
Police allegedly found a padlocked bag in the passenger area of Mattus’ car during a traffic stop on May 17th, along with several syringes and a small scale. Police reportedly found a stolen handgun and two homemade destructive devices inside the bag.
Prosecutors say the devices were reportedly cylinder-shaped and equipped with yellow pyrotechnic fuses, glued shut on both ends with metallic BBs mixed in with the gun.
A search then conducted at Mattus’ apartment allegedly turned up three additional explosive devices, live firearm ammo, and additional materials to build destructive devices.
Mattus faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
He was earlier detained by a Tazewell County judge in state court, but will have a federal detention hearing on June 4th.
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