New York man indicted on charges he built homemade IEDs, tossed one on subway tracks
A New York man has been indicted on multiple counts after authorities say he built several improvised explosive devices with chemicals he ordered online -- storing several of them on the roofs of two New York City apartment buildings and tossing one onto the subway tracks.
None of the devices exploded.
Michael Gann, 55, of Inwood, New York, was indicted on three counts, including attempted destruction of property by means of explosives; transportation of explosive materials; and unlawful possession of destructive devices.
The indictment alleges that Gann ordered precursor chemicals online -- chemicals that can create an explosive mixture when combined -- along with over 20 cardboard tubes and over 50 feet of fuses. After testing out the chemicals on Long Island, he transported the materials into Manhattan and assembled the IEDs, the indictment stated.
Photos included with the indictment showed cardboard tubes with fuses on the end. The devices were packed with approximately 30 grams of explosive powder -- roughly 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks, the indictment stated.
Gann stored the devices on the roofs of two adjoining apartment buildings in the SoHo neighborhood and threw one of the devices onto the subway tracks of the Williamsburg Bridge, according to the indictment.
“The safety of New Yorkers is paramount,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton in a statement. “As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—putting countless lives at risk. Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York.”
Gann was arrested on June 5, according to the court docket for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and has been in custody since then.
Authorities said Gann also made several internet searches referencing bomb-making and firearms.
Just hours before he was arrested -- carrying one of the devices -- he had posted a message on Instagram reading, "Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow."
Authorities have not provided a motive for the alleged bomb-making.
A criminal complaint filed last month in federal court said Gann has prior 12 felony arrests and three convictions.
