CAMDEN, N.J. – A 64-year-old Vineland man is heading to federal prison for two years after authorities discovered a homemade bomb and a cache of explosive materials at his residence. Thomas Petronglo was sentenced today in Camden federal court, capping a case that exposed a dangerous stockpile in a quiet New Jersey neighborhood.
Petronglo pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of possession of a destructive device and one count of unlawful storage of explosives. The bust originated on March 12, 2021, when investigators found a 5 ¾-inch metal can rigged as a destructive device – filled with a volatile mixture of potassium perchlorate and aluminum, complete with a lit fuse. But the single device was just the tip of the iceberg.
According to court documents, a search of Petronglo’s home revealed multiple intact improvised explosive devices alongside additional explosive materials. The specifics of what Petronglo intended to do with these dangerous materials remain unclear, but the potential for harm was substantial. Federal prosecutors argued the sheer volume and dangerous nature of the materials warranted a significant prison term.
U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler imposed the 24-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. While the prosecution sought a harsher penalty, the judge cited Petronglo’s age and lack of prior criminal record as mitigating factors. However, the message from the court was clear: possessing and building homemade explosives will not be tolerated.
The case was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Newark Field Division, led by Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller. ATF agents worked in concert with the Vineland Police Department, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, and the N.J. State Police – a multi-agency effort that brought a dangerous individual to justice. The ATF continues to investigate the source of Petronglo’s explosive materials.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Bender and Joseph McFarlane of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Camden prosecuted the case. The feds say this conviction demonstrates their commitment to keeping dangerous weapons off the streets and protecting the public from those who would build and stockpile destructive devices. The investigation is considered closed, but authorities are urging anyone with information about illegal explosives to come forward.
Related Federal Cases
- Thomas Petronglo, Destructive Device Possession, Vineland NJ, 2023 · New Jersey
- Lenelle Gray, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Cleveland OH, 2023 · Ohio
- Dante Thomas, Bass Pro Shops Gun Heist, GA 2013 · New Jersey
- Mario Senior, Federal Gun Possession, GA 2016 · New Jersey
- Randy McEntee, Loaded 9mm Possession, VT 2016 · Vermont
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