Man charged with having explosives in vehicle
NEWARK – A Newark man was charged Tuesday with a felony after several pounds of C4 explosives were reportedly found in his vehicle.
Jay S. West, 30, last known address 885 Empire Drive, Apt. A, was arrested Monday night at his apartment. He was charged with fifth-degree felony unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance in Licking County Common Pleas Court Tuesday.
Newark police Sgt. Bert Gliatta said the Newark Division of Police's special operations group responded to West's residence Monday night with the Columbus Bomb Squad.
Police had reportedly received information about West possessing explosives at his apartment, prompting the response.
Court records indicate West reportedly refused to answer the door, but did eventually speak with officers.
West reportedly told police he had explosives in the trunk of his vehicle. When police searched the vehicle, they located five M112 blocks of C4 explosives, weighing more than one pound each, along with fuse ignition equipment, fuse wiring, a grenade fuse body and connected blast caps, according to court records.
Police also found what they believe to be steroids, marijuana and "large bundles of cash" inside West's apartment, according to court records.
Assistant Licking County Prosecutor Brian Waltz said West was charged with a fifth-degree felony because Ohio law does not distinguish an explosives charge based on the weight of the alleged explosives as the law does with drugs.
There was no information available to explain why West had the explosives or what he intended to do with them.
West posted a $15,000 bond after a hearing Tuesday afternoon and was released from the Licking County Justice Center. A grand jury will likely consider the case for additional charges in the coming weeks.
According to court records, West was convicted in 2009 of trafficking in marijuana, possession of marijuana and aggravated possession of drugs, among other charges. He was sentenced to four years in prison and granted early release in 2012.