A thief who unwittingly stole cargo that could have blown him up had bomb charges dismissed but still must serve a half-year in jail for stealing.
The man, Emmet Beals, 23, entered guilty pleas to four counts of theft and was directed by Circuit Court Judge Bart Stanley to serve 180 days of an 11-month, 29-day sentence on the misdemeanor charges. He will also be required to perform 30 hours public service work.
A man who was with Beals during one of the thefts, Bradley James Pease, also had the explosives charge dropped but was given 120 days on the theft count. Pease was given an additional 120 days and $2,000 fine on separate meth charges.
Beals was caught in possession of several explosive components when he was pulled over and his car searched late last year. Officers searching his vehicle after he began acting nervously during a routine traffic stop, found the ammo box in his trunk and were stunned to discover a grenade and explosive trigger.
Beals, who officers admitted appeared to be equally as surprised by their discovery, told lawmen he had stolen several items, including the ammo box containing the explosives, from a residence. Beals would go on to admit burglarizing the residence, which was being used by its owner for storage, on numerous occasions.
During an earlier hearing General Sessions Judge Larry Ross ruled Beals “assumed the risk” when he stole the ammo box even though he may not have known what was inside. However, the explosives charges were thrown out as part of the plea agreement in circuit court.
Beals could have faced eight to 12 years in prison had the explosives charges stuck.