BELLA VISTA, Ark. — A Bella Vista man who reportedly made pipe bombs and attempted to flee the country on an inflatable kayak pled guilty to federal charges ahead of his jury trial on May 20.
Lawrence Hickman, 52, was arrested in Washington state and extradited to Arkansas before being booked into the Benton County Jail on Dec. 21, 2023, under six charges of criminal possession of explosive materials or a destructive device.
Hickman was also indicted on federal charges of possessing and making destructive devices unregistered by the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. On March 27, Hickman originally pleaded not guilty to those counts.
Ahead of his federal jury trial on May 20, 2024, Hickman changed his plea to guilty, and the charges were reduced.
According to court documents, Hickman now faces maximum penalties including imprisonment of 10 years, a $10,000 fine, and 3 years probation.
Events leading up to Hickman's arrest:
Police were first called to Hickman's home on Dec. 9 for a harassment call.
Upon arrival, police discovered what appeared to be six homemade pipe bombs, but Hickman was nowhere to be found.
The Bentonville Police Department Bomb Squad was contacted about the situation and neighbors were evacuated. Police found six bombs in total, each of which was X-rayed and found to be live.
Court documents said a neighbor told police that Hickman wanted to travel by kayak to the Philippines. The neighbor told police Hickman had said the bombs were for sharks and pirates.
The neighbor told police that he was with Hickman the day that he left and that his vehicle had been packed with multiple inflatable kayaks, a flare gun, a bow and arrows, military rations, 15 to 20 two-liter bottles of Coca-Cola, Jim Beam, and two teddy bears that he bought for his wife to be his "co-pilots" on the trip, according to the affidavit.
On Dec. 13, police were advised that Hickman was arrested in Pacific County, Washington. Multiple weapons were found with him.
December report:
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