McClellandtown man indicted for allegedly possessing an IED
A McClellandtown man who was charged after state police allegedly found him with an improvised explosive device had his case transferred to federal court.
Nathanael Scott Varney, 24, of McClellandtown was charged earlier this year with four counts each of possession of a weapon and making repairs to or selling offensive weapons, and one count of reckless endangerment. Those charges were withdrawn Wednesday, in light of the federal indictment.
The one-count federal indictment was unsealed Wednesday, charging Varney with unlawful possession of a firearm. Court records in the case indicated he had four improvised explosive devices in operating condition Aug. 15.
Varney could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, prosecutors said.
He was arraigned and released on a $10,000 unsecured bond. A court filing on behalf of the U.S. attorney’s office recommended a $25,000 unsecured bond. Unsecured bonds mean defendants can be released without posting money.
According the charges initially filed in Fayette County, state police found the homemade explosive devices when they pulled Varney over on a traffic stop in North Union Township. Police said he had a compressed gas cartridge with a fuse coming from the top of the cylinder in the vehicle.
Varney said there was gun powder inside, police said.
A second, similar device was also found in the vehicle, police said.
Varney reportedly admitted to making both and said he’d made and detonated others for “defensive purposes,” according to court paperwork. When a trooper asked what that meant, Varney allegedly told police if he were attacked, he could “engage the enemy threat from behind a position of cover” using the homemade bombs.
Two additional homemade devices were found in his German Township home, police said.