Margate Man Gets Decade For Pipe Bomb Plot

MARGATE, FL – A twisted tale of betrayal and explosive rage culminated today with Richard A. Heyn, 49, receiving a 120-month federal prison sentence. Heyn was convicted in February of constructing and possessing an unregistered destructive device – a pipe bomb – and attaching it to the undercarriage of a Boca Raton man’s SUV. The motive? A bitter end to a two-year extramarital affair.

Federal prosecutors detailed a calculated act of malice during the seven-day trial. According to court records, Heyn crafted the pipe bomb in August 2011, meticulously camouflaging it with black spray paint before securing it to the vehicle. The target was the husband of the woman with whom Heyn had been having an affair, a relationship the woman was actively attempting to terminate. The evidence presented painted a picture of a man consumed by jealousy and willing to resort to extreme measures.

Explosives experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) testified that the device was fully functional and capable of inflicting serious harm. They described the potential impact as “small cratering in the road,” coupled with the very real threat of grievous physical injury, or even death, to anyone nearby. The chilling testimony underscored the gravity of Heyn’s actions and the potential for catastrophic consequences.

“This wasn’t just a reckless act; it was a deliberate attempt to inflict harm,” stated a source close to the investigation. Investigators were able to link Heyn to the acquisition of the bomb components, solidifying the case against him. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office played a crucial role in the initial investigation, working alongside ATF agents to dismantle the device and gather critical evidence.

U.S. Attorney Wifredo A. Ferrer, alongside Special Agent in Charge Hugo J. Barrera of the ATF’s Miami Field Office and Sheriff Ric Bradshaw of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, announced the sentencing. Ferrer also extended gratitude to the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime Laboratory for their assistance in analyzing digital evidence recovered during the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Aurora Fagan and Alexandra Hui led the prosecution.

Following his decade-long prison term, Heyn will also face three years of supervised release. This case serves as a stark reminder that acts of violence, fueled by personal grievances, will be met with the full force of the law. Further details regarding the case can be found on the websites of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida (http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls) and the District Court for the Southern District of Florida (http://www.flsd.uscourts.gov) or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov).

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