“I AM BUILDING AN ENTIRE WEAPONS LAB IN MY HOUSE”!!! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, PROSECUTORS SAY A NEW JERSEY MAN AMASSED OVER A HUNDRED HOMEMADE BOMBS INSIDE A SUBURBAN HOME… AND HE NOW FACES DECADES IN FEDERAL PRISON.
Federal authorities have filed criminal charges against a 37-year-old New Jersey resident accused of assembling explosive devices in an at-home laboratory.
Joseph Rizos, of suburban Denville, allegedly operated a years-long scheme to acquire dangerous materials and build weapons inside his residence.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced multiple federal counts against him.
Rizos was charged with unlawful receipt of explosive materials.
He was also charged with unlawful storage of explosive material.
Additionally, prosecutors charged him with unlawful possession of plastic explosives without a detection agent.
According to authorities, the alleged illicit activity began in April 2020.
Rizos allegedly purchased highly explosive materials, including fuels, fuses and chemicals, from various online stores.
He also acquired laboratory equipment through online retailers, prosecutors alleged.
Authorities said he illegally stored the hazardous components inside his suburban residence.
But the alleged operation came to a halt following law enforcement intervention earlier this summer.
On June 24, Morris County investigators detained Rizos from his car.
Authorities then conducted a search of his 1,920-square-foot home on Avondale Road in Denville.
“At the residence, investigators uncovered a home laboratory along with a cache of explosive precursors commonly used to make [homemade explosives],” the Morris County’s Prosecutor’s Office wrote at the time.
“Also seized were blasting caps, cell phones, and various firearms and ammunition.”
Investigators reported recovering about 109 homemade bombs from his shed alone.
Illicit materials were also allegedly located throughout other areas of the property.
Investigators allegedly found materials in the bedroom.
They discovered items in the basement.
They also recovered materials from the garage.
And neighbors living nearby were temporarily evacuated during the search operation.
Following the search, the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office initially filed local charges against Rizos.
Those state-level counts included second-degree recklessly risking widespread injury or damage.
Rizos was also charged at the time with four counts of third-degree possession of destructive devices.
Then federal prosecutors formally announced three additional counts on Wednesday.
If convicted on all three federal counts, Rizos faces over 20 years behind bars.
He also faces up to $600,000 in fines.
Multiple agencies took part in the coordinated investigation.
The probe was led by the Joint Terrorism Task Force of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The Drug Enforcement Administration also led the investigation.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives served as a lead agency in the inquiry.
Assistance was provided by the New Jersey State Police.
The Morris County Sheriff’s Office also assisted in the case.
The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office helped with the investigation as well.
The charges are allegations and have not been proven in court.
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