Raymond Elders, Manufacturing Explosives, New York 2026

WHITE PLAINS MAN ARRESTED FOR MANUFACTURING EXPLOSIVES

A White Plains man has been arrested and charged with manufacturing and detonating explosive devices in his apartment, putting the entire community at risk, authorities said.

Raymond Elders, 65, a convicted felon, was captured on surveillance video igniting suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and tossing them onto residential streets in White Plains, according to the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York.

Elders was arrested by the FBI and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court, where he was detained. He is charged with one count of use of a weapon of mass destruction, one count of possession of destructive devices after a felony conviction, and multiple counts of receipt and possession of explosives after a felony conviction, unlawful possession of destructive devices, and unlawful manufacture of destructive devices, each carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

According to the complaint, Elders was seen assembling the suspected explosive devices while sitting on the living room couch in his apartment, which is on the first floor of a multi-family residence. On March 30, White Plains Police Officers responding to multiple 911 calls found an apparent pipe bomb on the steps of Elders’s apartment building. A warrant-authorized search of Elders’s apartment returned at least 25 suspected explosive devices, in addition to materials and supplies Elders allegedly used to assemble explosive devices.

Law enforcement evacuated all residents of the apartment building while FBI explosives specialists secured the scene. The investigation remains ongoing.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI New York Field Office and the White Plains Police Department for their prompt response and for protecting the residents of Westchester County.

The FBI continues to work tirelessly with law enforcement partners to protect communities from violence. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact the FBI or local authorities.

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