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November 23, 2009

Garrett pleads guilty in bomb incident

Submitted by the U.S. attorney's office

ROME — Richard Aubrey Garrett III, 36, of Rome, pleaded guilty today in federal district court to multiple charges after he placed an improvised explosive device, or homemade bomb, at a convenience store in Rome.

According to Acting United States Attorney Yates and the information presented in court: On April 24, 2008, Garrett left a bomb at the Kangaroo convenience store on Alabama Highway in Rome, where it was spotted by store clerk, who called 911. The bomb recovery and disposal unit responded and recovered the bomb using a robot and single-vent vessel. The bomb was X-rayed and found to be a hand grenade hull filled with an explosive substance and equipped with a fuse. The bomb squad safely detonated the bomb. Garrett admitted to leaving the device in the store and did not indicate a motive.

Today Garrett pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a bomb and to illegal possession of a bomb. He could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $500,000. In determining the actual sentence, the court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 29, 2010, at 1:30 p.m., before United States District Judge Harold L. Murphy.

This case is being investigated by Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Floyd County Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Kim S. Dammers is prosecuting the case.

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