FORT SMITH, Ark. — The FBI has confirmed that a Fort Smith man accused of several charges including possessing unauthorized bombs found in his home has been arrested in Texas.
According to Connor Hagan with the FBI in Little Rock, Neil Mehta was arrested by federal agents in Austin on Feb. 6 without incident after a search warrant last week uncovered "multiple explosive devices."
The FBI and other federal agents executed a search warrant for Mehta's Fort Smith home on Tuesday, Jan. 31, when he was under suspicion of selling and importing illegal firearms, committing tax fraud by failing to file taxes, actively hindering a department of labor investigation, and possessing unauthorized destructive devices.
FBI Little Rock and ATF (the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) in New Orleans asked for the public’s help in finding Mehta.
While investigators were able to determine the alleged bombs found in his home were safe, the FBI told the public that Mehta was considered armed and dangerous.
A Grand Jury will later hear evidence related to this investigation and determine whether additional criminal charges will be filed against Mehta.
If convicted of the charge of unlawful possession of an unregistered destructive device, Mehta faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine sentencing.
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