Investigators Try To Trace Pipe Bombs

Federal investigators in Spokane are still trying to find the source of two sophisticated pipe bombs that turned up six months ago.<

The bombs - similar to homemade hand grenades - are made with explosive powder packed in a metal CO2 cannister.

Authorities say the cannisters are put in a 10-inch section of plastic (PVC) pipe, along with buckshot.

The cannister is hooked to a fuse that can be ignited with a match or an acid ampule inside the bomb.

“They are a high-order explosive, and easily capable of killing someone,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl Hicks.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms considers the devices sophisticated, Hicks said.

Two were found six months ago when police and federal agents arrested Robert J. Adams of Spokane.

The 24-year-old man, with a lengthy criminal record, was sentenced Friday to serve 78 months in federal prison for possessing the pipe bombs and a handgun.

Adams admitted possessing the bombs, but refused to tell ATF agents where he got them.

Adams had one bomb shoved up his coat sleeve when police and an FBI agent stopped a car in east Spokane last December.

Adams and his attorney, Howard Nichols, were going to the Public Safety Building on Dec. 30 to make a report about an intruder who had shot Adams in the leg.

Earlier, one bomb was accidentally knocked off a dresser during a party at Adams’ house, but did not explode, investigators learned.

Police found the second pipe bomb and a .44-caliber handgun when they served a search warrant at Adams’ house at 4502 E. Fourth.

Adams was associated with David Delfs, 39, and John L. Calvert, 35, who were arrested Jan. 6 after a five-hour standoff.

Authorities say they now believe the trio attempted to become major drug distributors in the Spokane area last fall after two dozen other cocaine dealers were arrested in Operation Doughboy.

, DataTimes