SEATTLE – A 22-year-old Nevada man is facing a federal rap after a routine traffic stop near the University of Washington campus turned up a stolen truck, stolen firearms, body armor, and a cache of homemade bombs. JUSTIN MILES JASPER was arrested July 3rd and formally indicted by a grand jury this morning, U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan announced.
Jasper was busted driving a 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 with Montana plates, later determined to be stolen from Butte, Montana. The real trouble started when UW Police popped the hood – and the trunk. Inside, they found a Stevens Model 311A double-barrel 12-gauge shotgun (sans serial number) and a Mauser Model 1895 bolt-action rifle. Both firearms, unsurprisingly, were also reported stolen from the same Montana owner as the truck.
But the guns weren’t the worst of it. Cops also discovered several “Molotov cocktails” – gasoline-filled incendiary devices, ready to ignite. Jasper is now charged with five counts: transportation of a stolen vehicle, possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of stolen firearms, possession of destructive devices, and possession of explosives during the commission of a felony. He’s due in U.S. District Court in Seattle on Thursday, July 11, at 1:30 PM.
Four of the charges carry a maximum penalty of ten years behind bars. However, the explosives charge is a different beast altogether. Possession of explosives during the commission of a felony carries a mandatory minimum ten-year sentence, to be tacked on to whatever sentence he receives for the other crimes. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; this is a serious federal case.
Investigators from the FBI, UW Police Department, and Seattle Police Department worked the case. Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg is handling the prosecution. While the indictment lays out the charges, it’s crucial to remember that these are allegations at this stage. Jasper is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The question remains: what was Jasper planning? Was this a random act of desperation, or something far more sinister? With a stolen truck full of firepower and homemade bombs, Seattle residents have a right to be concerned. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and bring you the unvarnished truth as it unfolds.
Related Federal Cases
- Nevada Man Sentenced for Truck Heist, Guns & Homemade Bombs · Washington
- Sherlann Simon Pleads Guilty to Drug Money Laundering · Washington
- Amgen Pays $71M for Pushing Drugs Off-Label · Washington
- Amgen Inc. $71M Settlement · Washington
- Western Union Scam · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News