U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
District of Massachusetts

www.justice.gov/usao/ma

For Immediate Release

September 12, 2010

Norton Man Arrested for Selling Pipe Bombs

Boston, Mass. — A Norton man was arrested today for allegedly selling three pipe bombs, following an undercover operation.

MICHAEL BILLINGTON, 36, was arrested today on a complaint alleging possession of unregistered pipe bombs. The complaint alleges that Billington obtained pipe bomb components and assembled three pipe bombs. Billington then allegedly sold the pipe bombs on two occasions during the course of the undercover operation that was video and audio tape recorded. During the second sale, Billington indicated that they were even more powerful than the one he sold previously.

If convicted, Billington faces a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Guy N. Thomas, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Boston Field Division made the announcement today. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenn A. MacKinlay, assigned to Ortiz’s Organized Crime Strike Force Unit.

The charges contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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