UPDATE: Federal indictment handed down in Colorado Springs bombing
A federal grand jury has indicted a man who is accused of trying to blow up an accounting office in Colorado Springs.
Thaddeus Murphy, 44, was indicted on two counts.
Count one of the indictment alleges that on January 6 , 2015, Murphy did maliciously damage and destroy, or attempt to damage or destroy, by means of fire and an explosive, a building located at 603 South El Paso Street in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and such real property is used in interstate or foreign commerce. If convicted of that count, Murphy faces not less than 5 years, and up to 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
Count two of the indictment alleges that on February 19 , 2015, Murphy having been previously convicted of a felony offense knowingly possessed firearms. If convicted of that count, Murphy faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
According to court records, Murphy admitted to making a pipe bomb because he was distraught over financial problems. The records show Murphy was upset because the accountant wouldn’t return his tax records or phone calls. It turns out the accountant had died.
On February 25, a federal judge ordered that Murphy be held without bond pending the resolution of his case. The judge said that Murphy is a danger to the community and a flight risk. His next court date has not yet been scheduled.
No one was hurt in the January explosion, which caused minor damage to the exterior of the building.
The accounting office that was targeted is located in the same building as the local NAACP office. The FBI says it does not believe the NAACP was the target.
