Riverside, CA – A Desert Hot Springs man who allegedly walked away from a ‘halfway house’ in Rubidoux last month is now facing new charges related to pipe bombs found in Coachella Valley.
Federal authorities are seeking the public’s help in apprehending Edward Allen Costa, 48, who was indicted this week on federal charges of illegally possessing pipe bombs that were strewn about residential neighborhoods in Palm Springs last year.
Costa pleaded guilty last year to being a felon in possession of a firearm, but allegedly walked away from the residential re-entry center in Rubidoux, where he was being held after serving time for the gun charge.
The indictment alleges that Costa illegally possessed six pipes bombs that were left in various locations in Palm Springs from May 8 through May 12 last year, and that he never returned to the facility after signing out to go to a state-run employment office.
Special agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives had continued to investigate the case involving the pipe bombs, which concluded yesterday when a federal grand jury in Riverside returned the seven-count indictment against Costa.
An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
The charge of possession of an unregistered destructive device carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, while the escape charge carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Anyone with information about Costa’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the FBI at this 24-hour number: 888-CANT HIDE (888-226-8443).
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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