Fireworks Scheme Leads To Guilty Plea

Sat., Jan. 15, 2000

From Staff

A Spokane Valley man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges from his role in a scheme to make large, illegal fireworks.

Ronald Lee Hill, 41, pleaded guilty to unlawful storage of explosive material before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cynthia Imbrogno.

In exchange for his guilty plea, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tim Ohms moved to dismiss a second charge against Hill. He also was charged with receipt of explosive materials.

The judge put Hill on probation for one year and fined him $1,000.

Co-defendant Brian John Hell, who was arraigned Friday, entered not guilty pleas to charges of transportation and distribution of an explosive material without a license.

Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said the case involved the manufacture and sale of large M-1000 and M-250 firecrackers.

The larger version was equal in power to a half-stick of dynamite, ATF agents said.

Agents seized 200 pounds of aluminum powder and several hundred cardboard tubes, used to make the devices, in a garage at Hill’s home at 305 S. Bowdish.

The illegal fireworks were to be sold on Indian reservations in North Idaho and Western Washington, ATF agents said.

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