Collinsville Bomb Maker Gets 46 Months

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Jeremy Barr, 49, of Collinsville, Illinois, is headed to federal prison for 46 months after pleading guilty to possessing a destructive device – a homemade pipe bomb. The sentence, handed down in District Court on September 3, 2025, closes a case that rattled a Southern Illinois community and sparked a multi-agency investigation.

Barr was initially indicted in March 2024 by a grand jury in East St. Louis. The explosive device, discovered in a vehicle parked near a school, wasn’t just a collection of metal and powder. Analysis by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) revealed it was packed with fragmentation, capable of inflicting serious injury or even death upon detonation. Barr had been detained since his initial arrest on federal charges.

“Improvised explosive devices are inherently unpredictable, unstable, and indiscriminate,” stated U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. “Jeremy Barr threatened innocent lives near a Southern Illinois school, endangering kids, and our community.” Weinhoeft’s statement underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the potential for widespread harm. The threat wasn’t theoretical; the device sat unattended for two days.

ATF Chicago Special Agent in Charge Christopher Amon echoed those concerns. “The defendant in this case left two pipe bombs in a car parked next to a school for two days, posing a direct threat not only to the school but also the surrounding community,” Amon said. “I want to commend the swift actions of law enforcement and prosecutors, whose efforts helped avert a potential tragedy.” The quick response, officials say, prevented what could have been a catastrophic event.

The fallout from the investigation extended beyond the immediate threat. Barr is also ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to his former landlord. The funds will cover damages incurred to the residence during the execution of a search warrant by the Illinois State Police, who were searching for additional explosive devices. While no further devices were found, evidence of bomb-making materials was discovered in the basement, suggesting a pattern of dangerous activity.

The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the ATF, Wood River Police Department, Collinsville Police Department, Illinois State Police, FBI Springfield Field Office, and the Illinois Secretary of State Police Hazardous Device Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Burke successfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a significant prison sentence for the man who put a community on edge. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by homemade explosives and the dedication of law enforcement to neutralize those threats.