A Morris County man has been arrested and charged in connection with allegedly building and exploding a bomb, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials charged Christopher Faschan, 31, of Landing, by complaint with one count each of possession of numerous explosive/destructive devices, possession of precursor materials, and being a felon in possession of explosive materials, firearms and ammunition. He is scheduled to appear April 5, 2019, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Falk in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: On Feb. 1, 2019, Faschan drove to the home of “Individual 1” in Stanhope, New Jersey, and displayed what he claimed to be a bomb to Individual 1. According to Individual 1, Faschan stated: “this may be a good area to let this thing off” before leaving the area. Shortly thereafter, Faschan detonated the bomb in the area of Lake Lackawanna in Stanhope. He then called Individual 1 and stated: “That’s something that could easily be put under someone’s car, not that I would do that or anything.”
Officials say on Feb. 4th, law enforcement agents interviewed Faschan, who said that he had ignited the bomb. He described it as two pounds in weight and explained how he used and mixed Potassium Perchlorate, Aluminum Powder, and Tannerite to make several bombs that were in his home. At Faschan’s home, law enforcement agents found explosive devices, precursor materials, weapons and ammunition.
The counts of possession of a destructive device, possession of explosive materials by a convicted felon, and possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon each carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.