Michael Joseph Kile Jr., Careless Use of Explosives, Louisiana 2013

Camp Minden, Louisiana – A former safety manager at Explo Systems, Inc. has been sentenced for his role in a dangerous situation involving millions of pounds of unsecured explosives. Michael Joseph Kile, Jr. pled guilty in October 2013 to one misdemeanor count of violating Louisiana Revised Statute 40:1472.2, specifically pertaining to the careless use of explosives, stemming from a 2012 incident that rattled the town of Minden.

The case originated with a massive explosion on October 15, 2012, at the Explo Systems facility in Camp Minden. The blast, originating from a storage bunker containing the explosive M6, was powerful enough to shatter windows in the city of Minden, approximately four miles away, and created a mushroom cloud reaching 7,000 feet in altitude. Initial investigations by the Louisiana State Police (LSP) revealed the presence of millions of pounds of unsecured M6 on the property.

Following the initial explosion and LSP’s discovery, Explo Systems, Inc. was directed to secure the volatile material. While employees worked to contain the M6 within storage bunkers, the sheer volume of unsecured explosives necessitated a significant safety perimeter – a minimum of 4,000 feet. This created a substantial risk to nearby residents, leading to the precautionary evacuation of the entire town of Doyline, Louisiana, encompassing roughly 400 homes, between November 28 and December 7, 2013. The Youth Challenge Program (a local school) and non-essential personnel at Camp Minden were also evacuated, and the Webster Parish Jail implemented shelter-in-place procedures.

Kile, who served as the Safety Manager for Explo Systems, Inc., was charged with the state environmental regulation violation on June 10, 2013. His guilty plea on October 25, 2013, brought a resolution to the criminal case, though the repercussions of the incident extended far beyond the courtroom. The careless handling of such a large quantity of explosives not only endangered the community but also required a substantial investment of resources for emergency response and evacuation efforts.

The sentencing handed down to Kile included 12 weeks of incarceration, a $1,000 state fine, and $1,000 in restitution payable to the Louisiana State Police. While the legal proceedings have concluded, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of safety protocols and responsible handling of hazardous materials, particularly within the explosives industry. The EPA, LDEQ, and LSP all responded to the incident, highlighting the multi-agency coordination required in such a crisis.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: Michael Joseph Kile, Jr.
Crime: Careless Use of Explosives (Violation of L.R.S. 40:1472.2)
Location: Camp Minden, Louisiana
Date of Incident: October 15, 2012
Evacuation: The town of Doyline (400 homes) was evacuated for 10 days.
Sentence: 12 weeks incarceration, $1,000 fine, $1,000 restitution.
Statute Violated: L.R.S. 40:1472.2 – Careless Use of Explosives.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow developments related to the Explo Systems incident and other cases involving environmental and public safety violations.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

Related Federal Cases