Charges tied to two incidents in Madison, Indiana
United States Attorney Josh Minkler today announced federal charges against a Madison, Indiana, man for his role in two recent incidents in Madison, Indiana. David Theiring, 37, was charged with two counts of possession of an unregistered destructive device (a pipe bomb) and one count of possession of firearms by a convicted felon.
“Striking fear into the heart of a community will not be tolerated,” said Minkler. “Those who use violence directed at the criminal justice system or any of its members will be held strictly accountable.”
On March 6, 2016, a pipe bomb was detonated on the sidewalk in front of the Madison Police Department. A second pipe bomb was detonated just outside the residence of a Madison County judge on March 16, 2016. No one was injured in either incident.
Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials executed a search warrant at Theiring’s residence on April 1, 2016, and found bomb-making materials, a .22 caliber rifle, and a 12 gauge shotgun. Theiring’s possession of the destructive devices on the dates was unlawful; a search of the records of the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record failed to reveal any destructive devices registered Theiring. Moreover, Theiring, who has two prior felony convictions, could not legally possess a firearm.
This case was the result of an investigation by the Indiana State Police, the Madison City Police, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“ATF is committed to apprehending violent offenders and keeping the citizens of Indiana safe as we continue to work collaborative investigations with our state and local partners,” said ATF Group Supervisor Charley A. Scarber.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who is prosecuting the case for the government, Theiring faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. An initial hearing will be held in New Albany before a U.S. Magistrate Judge.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
