COLUMBUS, Ohio – An Indiana National Guardsman pulled over in central Ohio with a carload of guns and bombs has appeared in court on a federal charge of illegal possession of destructive devices.
A federal complaint says Andrew Boguslawski, 44, of Moores Hill, Ind., had several items that fit the definition of improvised explosive weapons when he was pulled over for speeding on I-70 in Madison County on New Year’s Day.
The complaint alleges that firearms, ammunition, explosives, detonators and “other items related to manufacturing explosives were found in Boguslawski’s vehicle.”
Boguslawski had worked at an Indiana National Guard training center near Butlerville, Ind., and told troopers he had items for training purposes.
The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the State Fire Marshal and the Columbus Fire Department Bomb Squad determined that the devices were capable of being detonated, causing injuries or death.
Federal law requires that destructive devices an explosive device – defined as a device that “is capable of causing property damage and personal injury and/or death” — be registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
Possession of unregistered destructive devices is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, federal authorities said.
Boguslawski was not required to enter a plea at Monday’s hearing, where he acknowledged he had read the charge. He waived a bond hearing, meaning the government now has 30 days to seek an indictment. Defense attorney Mark Babb declined to comment.