John Douglas Allen, Pipe Bomb Threats, Michigan 2021

A 75-year-old Northern Michigan man has been arrested and charged with placing pipe bombs outside cellphone stores in the Upper Peninsula.

John Douglas Allen, of Whittemore, Michigan, was arrested on two separate criminal complaints related to the placement of explosive packages outside AT&T and Verizon stores in Sault Ste. Marie and Cheboygan, Michigan.

According to the affidavit, on September 15, 2021, at approximately 7:36 pm, a United States Postal Service (USPS) box with black tape on it and a wire coming out of it was placed outside of an AT&T Store, located at 2972 W 8th Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Later that evening at approximately 10:10 pm, another USPS box with black tape on it and a wire coming out of it was placed outside of the Verizon Store, located at 1006 S Main Street Plaza 27, Suite 3, Cheboygan, Michigan.

The two devices recovered were examined by the FBI laboratory Explosive Unit, which concluded that the two devices were improvised explosive devices (IEDs), also commonly referred to as homemade bombs or pipe bombs. Based on video footage taken from the cell phone stores and other nearby businesses, as well as an exhaustive investigation by law enforcement, agents were able to determine that Allen was the person who allegedly left the packages outside of the stores.

The affidavit further alleges that letters, placed inside polka dot envelopes and sealed in zip lock bags, were left at cell towers located in the Upper Peninsula. The letters contained threats aimed at telecommunication carriers.

Allen faces charges of Extortion, which is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and Attempted Damage or Destruction of Buildings Used in Interstate Commerce, which is punishable by a minimum of five years and not more than 20 years in prison.

A date has not yet been set for his appearance in the Western District of Michigan to answer those charges. The investigation is continuing.

The charges in a complaint are merely allegations. A defendant remains innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

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