FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE THREE YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL WITH THE INTENT TO CREATE A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

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PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OCTOBER 22, 2025

FREDERICK MAN SENTENCED TO SERVE THREE YEARS IN THE DIVISION OF CORRECTIONS FOR POSSESSION OF EXPLOSIVE MATERIAL WITH THE INTENT TO CREATE A DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE AND RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT

 

 

Frederick, MD – Yesterday, in the Frederick County Circuit Court, The Honorable Richard Sandy sentenced 20-year old John Timothy Lightfield to serve three years in the Division of Corrections for one count of Possession of Explosive Material with the Intent to Create a Destructive Device and one count of Reckless Endangerment.   The Defendant pleaded guilty to both counts on August 11, 2025.

On April 28, 2025 the Office of the State Fire Marshall Bomb Squad, assisted by the Maryland State Police and the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, executed a search warrant on a basement apartment in a residence occupied by the Defendant in Frederick, MD.   The warrant stemmed from an investigation in which law enforcement received information leading to probable cause to search the Defendant’s residence for homemade destructive devices and explosive material.

Upon executing the warrant police seized an extensive amount of tools and materials consistent with the manufacture of homemade explosives, including homemade explosive powder and related materials.  The Defendant told police he had previously detonated two of his home-made devices and was working on improving the efficiency of his explosive devices.  A search of the Defendant’s electronic communications was consistent with the Defendant’s knowledge and discussion with others about manufacturing destructive devices.

Upon release, the Defendant will serve five years of supervised probation, with all standard conditions, and special conditions will include:  Not returning to the residence that was the subject of the search warrant.

Chief Evidence Review Unit, Timothy Gilbert represented the State of Maryland.

Press Contact:

Jacqueline Rottmann

Court Media Relations Officer

301-600-2972

100 West Patrick Street

Frederick, Maryland  21701

 

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