Charges: Alleged 'sovereign citizen' arrested with pipe bombs in vehicle in Minnesota's Oak Park Heights

A man arrested by Oak Park Heights police during a traffic stop early Saturday who had pipe bombs in his vehicle and told police he identified as a “sovereign citizen” has been charged in Washington County District Court.

Wayne R. Lund, 46, of East Bethel, Minnesota, is facing felony charges of possession of an explosive/incendiary device after previous conviction of violent crime. Lund also faces charges of fifth-degree drug possession and driving an uninsured vehicle.

Lund was arrested about 2 a.m. Saturday by an Oak Park Heights officer for license and insurance offenses during a traffic stop on Minnesota 36.

Lund “was unable to provide either a valid driver’s license or proof of insurance,” according to the criminal complaint. A check of Lund’s driving record showed he had two previous convictions for no insurance within the past 10 years, the complaint states.

Police found “nine small CO2 canisters with wicks attached to them by tape … were in a pouch belt in (Lund’s) vehicle’s backseat,” the complaint states. “The second device was a white PVC pipe approximately 8 inches in length, with caps screwed on both ends.”

The St. Paul bomb squad unit was called to remove the items for further examination. They determined that the pipe bombs found in the man’s possession had black powder inside of them, according to the complaint.

The man’s hotel room in Stillwater also was searched. A three-ring binder that included a “List of Pyro Chemicals and Terms” was found, along with a clear plastic baggie of methamphetamine, the complaint states.

Police later determined that one of the explosives was a “possible silver and black grenade which had a pin that was not crimped to secure it,” the complaint states. “The safe contained ammunition that was later confirmed to be .556 and .223 ammunition.”

Lund told police that he identifies as a member of the anti-government movement known as “sovereign citizens.” He said the “bomb items were actually used for his rocket hobby and is trying to get his rocket to different heights,” the complaint states.

He also said he was living in a hotel room in Stillwater “because he had been wrongfully evicted from his residence in Houlton, Wis.”

Lund had his first appearance before Washington County District Court Judge Siv Mjanger on Tuesday. Bond was set for $25,000 with conditions. His omnibus hearing is slated for 1:30 p.m. Nov. 25 via Zoom.

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