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Accused bomb maker to stay in jail
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A McKees Rocks man accused by the FBI of offering to make a bomb will be imprisoned while a federal grand jury considers whether to indict him, under an agreement reached in court today.
Michael Steven Cech, 41, is charged with distribution of explosives information for a crime of violence and possession of a firearm while a convicted felon. He did not contest the prosecution's request at a hearing today to keep him detained, but his attorney, Assistant Federal Public Defender Tom Livingston, reserved the right to seek a hearing on that matter later.
An FBI affidavit in the case said that on May 18, an informant approached Mr. Cech and asked him to help craft a bomb to "prevent a witness from testifying" in a case against the informant.
Mr. Cech agreed, in return for $300 and a .45-caliber pistol, the affidavit said.
Mr. Cech pledged to provide bomb parts and expertise if the informant provided the gunpowder, according to the affidavit. Mr. Cech said he would put nails in the bomb and make it "powerful enough to take out multiple houses or multiple vehicles," claiming he had made 30 similar devices and all had worked, it said.
The informant then traded a Glock 21 .45-caliber pistol for the bomb parts, the affidavit said.
Mr. Cech has a criminal history of theft, burglary and a drug charge, the affidavit said.
First Published May 30, 2012 3:23 pm
