JOHNSON COUNTY, ARKANSAS, Ark. — One man was arrested in Johnson County for multiple charges including possession of explosives, the Johnson County Sheriff's Office (JCSO) reports.
The suspect is identified as Tristan Justice, who officials say was on probation for "previous weapon charges." Justice was arrested earlier this month for multiple charges and has previously been arrested for impersonating an officer.
On Sept. 21, JCSO says they received "credible information" that Justice had "produced devices designed to inflict harm to persons, mainly law enforcement."
According to JCSO, investigators saw justice driving a vehicle and "observed traffic infractions" on Highway 21 near Clarksville. Officials conducted a traffic stop for the "infractions," and because he was on a suspended driver's license, JCSO says.
Because Justice has "a warrantless search waiver on file," a search was conducted on his vehicle. Investigators reported finding "devices described as booby traps." A search was then conducted at Justice's home where investigators found an explosive device. The device was confirmed to be homemade by an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol Tabacco and Firearms and the Fort Smith Bomb Squad.
A second search warrant was conducted by crews the next morning where they found:
- Drug paraphernalia
- Methamphetamine
- Additional booby trap devices
- A device that contained: "projectiles, black powder, and an ignition source."
- A device with a shotgun shell
- Materials consistent with "the construction of explosive devices."
When interviewed, Justice admitted to making the devices. Justice was charged with the following felonies:
- Possession of a booby trap
- Criminal use of a prohibited weapon
- Criminal possession of explosive material or a destructive device
- Possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Driving while suspended
In October 2022, authorities with JCSO and the Lamar Police Department reached out to the public to see if they'd seen Justice posing as a law enforcement officer. He was arrested for posing as an officer and according to officials, maintaining false social media accounts for a bail bond company that doesn't exist.
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