Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Jury Convicts Local Man for Possession of a Pipe Bomb
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A federal jury in Corpus Christi has convicted a 44-year-old man for possessing an unregistered destructive device, announced U.S. Attorney Jennifer B. Lowery.
The jury deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before convicting Elden Don Brannan following a two-day trial.
On Feb. 23, law enforcement responded to reports of a family altercation involving Brannan. His sister informed authorities he had a pipe bomb in his room.
The jury heard from a law enforcement officer who explained how they located and disassembled the device. The item consisted of a fuse inserted into metal pipe wrapped in tape containing 39.7 grams of black powder and pyrotechnic stars, a wax-like substance and five U.S. dimes.
Laboratory analysis determined the powder, stars and fuse to be explosive materials. Testing also confirmed the device was destructive as the law defines. In addition, the bomb was not properly registered to Brannan in the National Firearms Registration and transfer record.
The defense tried to convince the jury Brannan had attempted to construct a firework. They did not believe those claims and found him guilty as charged.
U.S. District Judge David Morales presided over trial and set sentencing for Feb. 7, 2023. At that time, Brannan faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He will remain in custody pending that hearing.
The Corpus Christi Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Dunn and John Marck prosecuted the case with the help of Paralegal Rachel Gonzales.