Two suspects have been arrested after police discovered they were in possession of multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The incident occurred on Monday in Anderson County when Kentucky State Police conducted a traffic stop on Anderson Crossing Drive in Lawrenceburg.
Upon stopping the vehicle, the trooper made contact with the driver, 41-year-old Ronald Coffman, of Mercer County, and passenger, 36-year-old Zebadiah Murphy, of Anderson County. The trooper gained consent to search the vehicle and located narcotics and two IEDs in the rear floorboard, state police said.
Coffman told the trooper that the explosive devices contained black powder and lead pellets.
“At that time, a perimeter was established, and a hazardous device unit was contacted to respond to the scene and safely remove the devices from the vehicle,” according to KSP.
After gathering information from the traffic stop, a search warrant was obtained for Murphy’s residence on Hammonds Creek Road in Anderson County.
During a search of the property, two additional IEDs were located, along with items needed to manufacture IEDs, state police said. Also located were several firearms, improvised firearm suppressors and restricted ammunition.
Murphy was charged with third-degree use of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, and using restricted ammo during the commission of a felony.
Coffman was charged with third-degree use of a weapon of mass destruction, possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine), possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, theft of motor vehicle registration plate, and his second DUI along with multiple non-moving violations.
The suspects were lodged in the Franklin County Detention Center on $20,000 cash bonds.
(Photo l-r: Ronald Coffman, Zebadiah Murphy)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
