ST. GEORGE — A man is in jail after a rifle cartridge that was modified into a small explosive device was recovered from a vehicle during a traffic stop in Washington City.
On Thursday, a vehicle passed a patrol officer heading west on Bluff View shortly before 5 p.m., and when the officer looked over, he recognized the driver as Grady George Washington Gibson, who had a no-bail warrant for his arrest issued out of Juab County on a drug case.
The officer started following the car as it turned left on North 700 East heading south and appeared to be speeding, the officer noted, adding he suspected the driver knew the officer was “attempting to stop him” and was trying to get away.
The officer activated his emergency lights and caught up to the vehicle near the intersection of North 700 East and Bulloch Street, but instead of pulling over, the suspect turned left heading south on Scenic Drive while the officer activated the siren on his patrol vehicle.
The suspect made another left turn onto East Scenic Drive and after continuing for more than 100 yards, the suspect pulled over and stopped in front of his residence.
As the officer pulled over the suspect started getting out of his vehicle, which is when the officer jumped out and ordered the driver to get back in the vehicle. The suspect continued exiting the car as he asked why he was being stopped, and when he was advised he had a warrant, the suspect told the officer he was not Grady Gibson, but that his name was “Isaac.”
The officer knew the suspect had a brother by that name, and suspected the driver was giving him false information, and when confronted, the suspect “eventually” confirmed his actual identity to police.
A subsequent records check confirmed the warrant was still active and that Gibson was reportedly driving on a suspended license so he was taken into custody while additional officers responded to assist.
When a search of the vehicle was conducted officers recovered a black case in the center console and inside they found a clear plastic baggie that contained suspected methamphetamine, as well as a second baggie containing suspected heroin. They also found what appeared to be marijuana, along with multiple paraphernalia-related items and syringes that were located throughout the vehicle.
As the search continued, officers found a large bullet casing in a compartment on the driver’s side door that was wrapped in duct tape with a fuse extending out of one end of it, the officer wrote.
The casing also appeared to be sealed off using some type of silicone substance, and being the item appeared to be some type of explosive device, the officer stated, the Washington County Bomb Squad was called in to assist. One of the bomb squad agents confirmed the item was in fact a homemade explosive, according to the report, and took custody of the device as officers spoke to the suspect.
When confronted, the report states, Gibson denied having any knowledge of any such device and subsequently he was arrested and transported to jail.
Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams told St. George News the device found in the suspect’s car was actually a 30.06 caliber cartridge that was made into an improvised explosive device that was modified in such a way that the casing would blow out from the sides, as opposed it functioning as a projectile.
Williams went on to say that while a projectile is designed to cause damage to whatever object it strikes, the modified cartridge could send shrapnel flying in all directions.
Gibson was later booked on second-degree felony count of recklessness with an incendiary device, as well as seven misdemeanor charges, including failing to stop at command of law enforcement, providing false information with intent to be another actual person, driving on a suspended license, possession of paraphernalia and three possession of controlled substance charges. He was also booked on the no-bail warrant.
This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.
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