Cole Carini, Possessing and Manufacturing an Unregistered Explosives Device, Virginia 2023

A 24-year-old Richlands man has been sentenced to 84 months in federal prison for possessing and manufacturing an unregistered explosives device.

Cole Carini pleaded guilty in January to one count of possessing and manufacturing an unregistered explosive device.

On June 3, 2020, Carini went to a hospital in Richlands suffering from extensive injuries to his hands, and shrapnel wounds to his neck and throat. After being interviewed at the hospital by authorities, Carini reported that his injuries were caused by a lawn mower accident at his home.

During a search of Carini’s home, agents found the lawn was overgrown and found no other evidence indicating a lawn mower had recently been used. They did, however, find evidence of an explosion in Carini’s bedroom that was more consistent with the types of injuries Carini had suffered. Agents also discovered drawings of improvised explosive devices, significant quantities of Triacetone Triperoxide, which is an explosive substance used in the creation of improvised explosive devices, exploded and unexploded components of pipe-bomb devices, fusing, and a partially constructed pressure-cooker explosive device similar to that used in the Boston Marathon bombing.

The investigation of the case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, the Richlands Police Department, and the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary T. Lee and Whit D. Pierce are prosecuting the case for the United States.

“When he stockpiled bomb-making materials and actually designed and manufactured an improvised explosive device designed to cause significant harm, the defendant put the safety of the community at risk and committed a serious federal crime,” Acting United States Attorney Daniel P. Bubar said. “Today’s sentence ought to send a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated. We appreciate the great work of our federal and state partners that brought Carini to justice.”

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