Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime Alerts (c)
The Cleveland Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Northern District of Ohio United States Attorneys Office announce the federal arrest of Andrew F. Dodson, age 32, of Mogadore, Ohio.
On July 22, 2021, Orange Police Department arrested Dodson for an alcohol related driving offense. During the arrest and impounding of the vehicle, Orange Police officers discovered a large cache of explosive precursors to include approximately 10 pounds of Potassium Percholorate, Potassium Nitrate, powdered sugar, batteries, Vaseline, and a black tactical bag with the words, “POLICE” on it, containing ear protection and safety glasses.
On July 23, 2021, Orange Police Department contacted the Cleveland Division of the FBI to relay the above specified arrest and items found. FBI agents interviewed Dodson at the Beachwood City Jail that same day. Dodson stated that he had made smoke bombs for the 4th of July and had not removed the material from his vehicle for storage.
The federal complaint affidavit alleges the above specified materials can be used to make smoke bomb-like devices, the chemicals found are also used to make cap-sensitive improvised explosives like those known in the bomb community as “Poor-Man’s C4”. Additional information obtained during this investigation revealed 50 pounds of Potassium Percholorate had been purchased by Dodson between April and June 2020. A FBI special agent bomb technician stated that Potassium Percholorate is primarily used for making explosives. It is specified in the affidavit that this large amount of Potassium Percholorate is not regularly used in creating homemade smoke devices, however, technically could be used for that purpose.
Information legally obtained from Dodson’s social media accounts revealed references to the Unabomber, of which Dodson has a tattoo of, references to explosives, remote detonators, photographs of a remote detonator, 12 radio antenna devices, and improvised claymores containing 1,000 BBs per device. The affidavit specifies it is believed the BBs are commonly used as shrapnel in improvised devices. Additional information obtained through a social media subpoena were photographs of flame throwers, soft armor, firearms, and what appeared to be improvised grenades for a grenade launcher, among other items.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has conducted a search of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record and found no evidence of any registration of firearms or destructive devices by Dodson.
Dodson was placed into federal custody without incident at approximately 9 a.m. this morning, August 4, 2021, in Mogadore, Ohio. Dodson has been charged with violations of 26 U.S.C. 5845(f) Destructive Device, 5861(d) Receiving or Possessing an Unregistered Destructive Device, and 5871 Penalties, and 18 U.S.C. 1001 Making False Statements.
Dodson will appear in United States Magistrate Kathleen B. Burke’s courtroom today, August 4, 2021, at 2 p.m.
The FBI would like to thank the Orange Police and Fire Departments for the swift response to the items discovered in the vehicle driven by Dodson and for their continued partnership with the FBI.
This matter is considered an ongoing investigation and no further information outside of the federal complaint affidavit can be released.