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Montana jury finds Virginia man guilty in pipe bomb case

Posted at 4:37 PM, May 06, 2013
and last updated 2013-05-06 16:50:17-04

MONTANA (WTVR)–On Monday a Montana jury found a Virginia man guilty, who tried with pipe bombs to harm law enforcement officers in two states.

Laurence Alan Stewart II was found guilty of all seven counts of attempted deliberate homicide for his actions in Montana.

The possible penalties for each count are death, life in prison or a prison term ranging from 10 to 100 years, reports the Free Lance-Star.

He also faces charges in Virginia, after detonating pipe bombs in homes in Stafford County.

On Oct. 30 Stewart set off two pipe bombs at the homes of Stafford County law enforcement officers, and at the home of his ex-fiancee, who had placed a restraining order against him.

No one was injured but all three homes were damaged; in one a hole was blown in the roof and windows shattered. 

Virginia State Police issued a “Blue Alert,” at 10 p.m. Oct. 30; an alert issued if an officer is killed, injured or assaulted — or a suspect poses an immediate danger to the public or law enforcement.

A manhunt ensued and on Nov. 1, Stewart was spotted in Montana north-central Montana were he led police on a reported 45-mile chase and hurled pipe bombs at police. Prosecutors said that five of the seven bombs exploded.

Federal investigators said that Stewart kept an angry blog, in which he said he was disgusted by the legal system and was willing to commit crimes.

Stewart will be brought back to Virginia to face attempted capital murder charges.

Prior to these incidents he was wanted out of Stafford for indecent exposure, obscene sexual display and violation of a protective order.  [READ MORE: Stafford man wanted for exposing himself, violating protective order]

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