POLK COUNTY, TN – Earlier in August, authorities in Polk County were executing an arrest warrant in relation to a 54-year-old man suspected of threatening public officials, with federal authorities eventually being wrapped up in the investigation after authorities reportedly discovered over a dozen IEDs inside the suspect’s home.
On August 1st, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee executed an arrest warrant at a residence located along Amber Way in Old Fort in response to alleged threats to public officials made by an individual identified as Kevin Wade O’Neal.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, upon entering the residence of the suspect, deputies on scene detected something burning inside of the bedroom where O’Neal was apprehended.
“Officers realized that something was smoldering inside the bedroom where Mr. O’Neal had been located,” the press release from the sheriff’s office reads, adding, “Officers observed what they believed to be an improvised explosive device inside the room. Officers immediately evacuated the residence and Officers with the Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) responded to the scene.”
A subsequent search warrant was executed at the residence following the alarming discovery by deputies, with officials reportedly recovering a total of fourteen suspected IEDs.
The statement from the sheriff’s office claims O’Neal “attempted to detonate the devices upon officers’ arrival and while they were attempting to apprehend him,” leading to the suspect now facing an additional eleven counts of attempted murder in tandem with the threatening public officials charges.
As for the IEDs allegedly recovered from the suspect’s home, O’Neal is also facing fourteen counts of prohibited weapons charges and a singular count of possession of explosive components.
Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross extended gratitude and accolades to the timely response of both local and federal law enforcement agencies with respect to the incident, giving a shoutout to the notable first responders in the press release.
“Sheriff Steve Ross would like to thank all agencies that responded to assist during this incident and investigation. Those agencies include, but are not limited to the following: West Polk Fire and Rescue, AmeriPro EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad, and Tennessee Department of Homeland Security,” the statement from the sheriff’s office concluded.
According to Tennessee law, a conviction of attempted first degree murder when the intended victim is a law enforcement officer could result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole. O’Neal is currently being housed at the Polk County Jail, with bond for the suspect having not yet been determined.
On August 1st, deputies from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Tennessee executed an arrest warrant at a residence located along Amber Way in Old Fort in response to alleged threats to public officials made by an individual identified as Kevin Wade O’Neal.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, upon entering the residence of the suspect, deputies on scene detected something burning inside of the bedroom where O’Neal was apprehended.
“Officers realized that something was smoldering inside the bedroom where Mr. O’Neal had been located,” the press release from the sheriff’s office reads, adding, “Officers observed what they believed to be an improvised explosive device inside the room. Officers immediately evacuated the residence and Officers with the Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad and Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) responded to the scene.”
A subsequent search warrant was executed at the residence following the alarming discovery by deputies, with officials reportedly recovering a total of fourteen suspected IEDs.
The statement from the sheriff’s office claims O’Neal “attempted to detonate the devices upon officers’ arrival and while they were attempting to apprehend him,” leading to the suspect now facing an additional eleven counts of attempted murder in tandem with the threatening public officials charges.
As for the IEDs allegedly recovered from the suspect’s home, O’Neal is also facing fourteen counts of prohibited weapons charges and a singular count of possession of explosive components.
Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross extended gratitude and accolades to the timely response of both local and federal law enforcement agencies with respect to the incident, giving a shoutout to the notable first responders in the press release.
“Sheriff Steve Ross would like to thank all agencies that responded to assist during this incident and investigation. Those agencies include, but are not limited to the following: West Polk Fire and Rescue, AmeriPro EMS, Tennessee Highway Patrol, the 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Chattanooga Police Department Bomb Squad, and Tennessee Department of Homeland Security,” the statement from the sheriff’s office concluded.
According to Tennessee law, a conviction of attempted first degree murder when the intended victim is a law enforcement officer could result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole. O’Neal is currently being housed at the Polk County Jail, with bond for the suspect having not yet been determined.
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