Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced James Lee Minyard (42, Tampa) to 30 months in federal prison for possessing destructive explosives. Minyard pleaded guilty on December 12, 2013.

He was originally indicted on August 14, 2013.

According to court documents, pursuant to a search of Minyard’s residence, law enforcement found multiple explosive devices and chemicals commonly used for explosive devices, including a powerful and destructive explosive named Triacetone Triperoxide (TATP). The search also uncovered a homemade remote control used to detonate explosive devices. During an interview with law enforcement, Minyard admitted to knowingly possessing these explosive devices and to manufacturing TATP. Three of the explosive devices found were firearms (destructive devices) that contained TATP, and were designed to be used as weapons.

This case was investigated by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Tampa Police Department, with the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

This case is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy - a comprehensive violent crime impact strategy that consolidates limited federal law enforcement resources and focuses ATF’s mission by deconflicting cases and coordinating all law enforcement efforts in critical communities.

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