Charles Gibson Bailey of West Yellowstone admitted on Wednesday to possessing unregistered improvised bombs after law enforcement found three small devices in his truck last year, U.S. Attorney Kurt Alme said.
Bailey, 33, pleaded guilty in federal court in Missoula to possession of unregistered explosive devices. Bailey faces up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
In court records, the prosecution said evidence showed that on Feb. 26, 2019, the West Yellowstone City Court issued a protection order against Bailey. On March 27, 2019, in connection with an investigation into Bailey’s violation of the protection order, law enforcement officers searched Bailey’s truck.
During the search, officers seized three small destructive devices, which were examined by an expert with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The ATF expert concluded the three devices were designed as weapons and were properly identified as improvised explosive devices. Bailey did not register the devices with the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen DeSoto presided and recommended Bailey’s plea be accepted by Chief U.S. District Judge Dana Christensen, who is hearing the case. Sentencing is set for May 8.
