In Mason, Ohio, a man was taken into custody on suspicion of having a harmful device following an inquiry into an improvised explosive device (IED) uncovered at a soccer facility, which ultimately led to the detection of materials used to make bombs.
James River Phillips, a 20-year-old individual, was apprehended on Thursday by the FBI Cincinnati Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and accused of having an unregistered firearm and owning a dangerous device.
The arrest comes after the task force conducted a federal court-ordered search in Mason that morning.
“James River Phillips was arrested by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force for allegedly having a dangerous destructive device,” mentioned FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “Through collaborative efforts with our partners, we ensured that his activities were ceased prior to posing any threats to public safety.”
Interior photos of the shed recovered from iCloud appear to show the shed contains running electricity, racks for glass beakers, heated magnetic mixers and unknown chemicals and powders. (Federal Affidavit)
The video then shows a hole in the ground, which investigators say was the result of the previous explosion. The two men are then seen picking up the debris and leftover components. GPS data from the metadata of the video shows the video was shot in the parking lot of the same soccer complex in Lebanon, where the police officer encountered the IED months later, the affidavit notes.
Additional photos and videos of explosions were reportedly found on the iCloud account from July 21, 2024, including the destruction of a car.
In one of the videos, investigators wrote, Phillips is seen holding a detonation device as another man counts down from five to one.
“After Phillips presses the detonation device, a large explosion is heard in the distance, and an unidentified male can be heard saying, ‘It blew the car above the tree line,’” the affidavit said. “Additional photos and videos taken on July 21, 2024, show an explosion followed by photos of the destruction of a car that appeared to be destroyed from the explosion.”
The investigation later revealed to detectives that Phillips bought “precursor chemicals and materials for homemade explosives,” which were shipped to his home in Mason and another residence of his in Oxford.
His iCloud account also allegedly had recipes and notes on how to construct explosive devices, the affidavit claims.
Photos also allegedly show Phillips constructing explosive devices in a shed in the woods.
Phillips is expected to appear in court Friday for a bond hearing and will remain in custody until then.
