By By LISA TINDELL – News reporter
A Flomaton man was arrested July 5 after he was found with what authorities said were five pipe bombs.
Gregory Wendall Nichols, 45, of 261 Powell Circle, was arrested following a vehicle stop at a convenience store located at the intersection of U.S. 31 and Alabama Highway 113 in Flomaton.
Flomaton Police Chief Mike Lambert said Nichols was arrested at the scene and charged with a federal offense and faces other state felony charges in connection with the bombs. Nichols was arrested again late Friday and booked into the Escambia County Jail on unlawful possession of explosives charges.
In a statement, Lambert said five homemade pipe bombs made from carbon dioxide cartridges were found in Nichols' vehicle.
Agents with the Alabama Department of Tobacco and Firearms and Mobile's Bomb Squad were notified with the bomb squad securing and taking possession of the devices.
Mike Messenger, a supervisor with the ATF agency, said Nichols gave consent to search his residence on Powell Circle in Flomaton.
Nichols has been charged with possession of an unregistered explosive device, a federal offense, and unlawful possession of explosives, which is a class C felony in the state of Alabama.
The felony charges are pending a grand jury presentation.
According to Messenger, an arraignment hearing was held for Nichols on Thursday, after which he was released on his own recognizance.
A detention hearing will be held in Mobile on July 11 to determine whether he will be detained further.
Nichols has not been charged with any violations concerning the firearms found at his home, Messenger said.