MADISONVILLE, La. — An FBI investigation into explosives brought agents to a house in Madisonville on Thursday, where the bureau arrested a man for making bombs inside his house.
Robert Coleman had shipped dozens of explosive equipment and chemicals to his Northshore home on 35 Mary St., before he was arrested, according to a U.S. District Court filing released on Friday.
"An FBI tactical team approached the residence," the filing read. "Coleman complied with the instructions he was given."
Coleman was charged with, "Knowingly engaging in the business of importing, manufacturing and/or dealing in explosive materials."
According to the task force charged with the case, Coleman improvised these explosive devices using everyday items, many of which he ordered from Amazon. These included coffee filters, airbag materials, and a chemical compound associated with cancer treatment, known as hydrazine sulfate.
"After reviewing the materials, the scientist at the Explosives Unit concluded the chemicals in question can be utilized, in conjunction with other common chemicals, to manufacture an assortment of explosive materials," The task force report said. "The potential nefarious uses of the items were detailed by the scientist,"
The FBI New Orleans division was first alerted to Coleman's alleged activities in January. From there, an investigation eventually led Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents to secure a search warrant for Coleman's house on Wednesday. That search was executed by an FBI tactical team the next day.
On Thursday, before the report was released, FBI New Orleans said their agents were "conducting court authorized law enforcement activity"
The Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office had arrested Coleman for building bombs in 1991. Although the records from that case had been expunged afterward, according to the task force report.