Florida teen arrested after deputies find 2 jars of bomb-making chemicals in bedroom
Alachua County investigators say a 15-year-old Buchholz High School student had online contact with ISIS supporters and was seeking help building explosives.
By Ryan Carter ·
A 15-year-old Buchholz High School student is in custody after deputies found two jars of chemicals in his bedroom that he said were used to make TATP, or triacetone triperoxide, a dangerous explosive. The Alachua County Sheriff's Office charged the teen Monday with making or attempting to make a destructive device. Authorities said additional charges could follow as the investigation continues.
The arrest came after a joint investigation by the sheriff's office and the FBI that began Friday at the teen's home. Investigators had learned he was in online conversations with members and supporters of the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS. According to investigators, the teen asked for help building drones and explosives to attack people at an unspecified location.
Deputies interviewed the teen's parents, who consented to a search of his phone. Investigators reported finding files with instructions for building explosive devices and chemical compounds, along with ISIS propaganda. That information led to Monday's search of the home, conducted with the parents present.
The Alachua County Bomb Squad responded to the residence and secured the materials before detectives searched the property. Family members, speaking off camera, said they had questions about the investigation and declined to comment further.
The teen is a student at Buchholz High School in Gainesville. The sheriff's office did not release his name, citing his age.
Source: WHPM-LD
