A massive explosion that leveled a Grandview, Missouri, business two years ago has led to a guilty plea from a 67-year-old Belton man tied to a sprawling illegal fireworks and explosives operation. Thomas McKeehan pleaded guilty in federal court to trafficking thousands of unlicensed explosive devices, including commercial-grade aerial shells and homemade M-Series bombs, without a license.
McKeehan admitted to partnering with 76-year-old James Witt, owner of the now-destroyed JW’s Lawn and Garden Equipment at 12010 S. 71 Hwy. From January 2015 to January 2017, the duo manufactured and sold illegal explosives from Witt’s property. The operation culminated in a catastrophic blast on January 3, 2017, that obliterated the business and sent shockwaves through the community.
According to court documents, McKeehan and Witt bought bulk quantities of aluminum powder, potassium perchlorate, and sulfur to mix explosive compounds. They packed the powder into cardboard tubes and created thousands of improvised devices—13,968 standard M-Series and another 3,200 larger variants—while also trafficking over 2,700 commercial 1.3g aerial display shells without required federal licensing.
In the aftermath of the explosion, rather than cooperate with authorities, McKeehan and Witt moved to conceal evidence. They retrieved stored fireworks from McKeehan’s Belton storage unit, then on January 17, 2017, loaded a white van in Lone Jack, Missouri, with the same dangerous arsenal: more than 1,000 aerial shells and nearly 17,000 M-Series devices, bound for a buyer in Wisconsin.
James Witt pleaded guilty on December 18, 2017, to conspiracy to deal in explosives without a license. He faces up to five years in federal prison without parole. McKeehan, who directly engaged in the unlicensed manufacturing and distribution, faces up to 10 years behind bars. Sentencing for both will follow presentence investigations by the U.S. Probation Office.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce E. Clark and investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Federal authorities say the operation posed a grave danger to public safety, turning a suburban storefront into a ticking time bomb—one that finally detonated with devastating consequences.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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