Two men with alleged ties to area militias -- who are self-proclaimed "survivalists" -- will remain in the Allegheny County Jail pending disposition of their charges in federal court on weapons violations.

Perry Landis, 62, of Du Bois, Clearfield County, is charged with selling blasting caps to undercover agents on Sept. 29, 2007, and March 27.

During a hearing this afternoon before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Amy Reynolds Hay, FBI agent Daniel Yocca testified that Mr. Landis crafted "one hell of a mean grenade," using pill bottles and CO-2 cartridges to provide propulsion. He also made an ammunition belt to store several medicine bottle grenades at one time.

Mr. Yocca told the judge that Mr. Landis is the sergeant at arms of a group called the Brookville Tiger Militia, which met in a cabin on his property.

He also testified that Mr. Landis told undercover officers that if Hillary Clinton won the presidency, it would be a good thing because she would demand disarmament, and "we would come out of the woodwork."

Earlier in the day, Judge Hay ordered that Marvin E. Hall, of Rimersberg, remain in custody. He is accused of making exploding golf balls and a host of other weapons. Judge Hay deemed him a flight risk and a danger to the community.

Mr. Hall was arrested Sunday in a raid during which federal agents seized a laundry list of ammunition, explosives and firearms from his home.

FBI agents and the Pennsylvania State Police had been investigating Mr. Hall since 2005, when undercover agents met him at a "flamethrower party," a gathering for neighbors, gun owners and aspiring militia members in Clarion County, Mr. Yocca said.

The FBI launched its probe to "target militias and individuals in militias who have a propensity toward violence," but Mr. Hall told undercover agents he was not part of such a group, Mr. Yocca said. However, he continued that, if need be, he would associate himself with a group called the 91st Warrior, the agent testified.

During the investigation, Mr. Yocca said, Mr. Hall offered an undercover officer a CD detailing how to turn an AK-47 into a fully automatic weapon; gave the agent two home-made plastic golf balls filled with exploding powder for use as miniature grenades; and told an officer that he continued to manufacture grenade launchers in a hidden-away machine shop.

Mr. Hall in 1999 was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for possessing unregistered firearms. Mr. Yocca testified that Mr. Hall told an agent he would make two more grenade launchers for each year he spent in federal prison.

Morgan Jones, of Lucinda, Clarion County, and Bradley Kahle, of Troutville, Clearfield County, are also charged in related but separate investigations by the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Mr. Jones will have his detention hearing tomorrow afternoon.

Mr. Kahle had a detention hearing this afternoon before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Keith A. Pesto in Johnstown. He was granted bond provided he followed a number of conditions.

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.