New York City man charged with allegedly building, stashing IEDs around Manhattan

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday charged a New York man with allegedly creating and hiding multiple improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across New York City, in a plot that was foiled by law enforcement. 

The Justice Department claimed the suspect, Michael Gann, constructed and hid at least seven devices around the city, including at least five that were stored on the rooftops of residential buildings and one that was thrown onto subway tracks. 

The department claimed Gann ordered precursor chemicals, which cause an explosion when combined, online in May, which he received in June. The supplies included approximately two pounds of potassium perchlorate, approximately one pound of aluminum powder, over 200 cardboard tubes and over 50-feet worth of fuses.

“The safety of New Yorkers is paramount,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton said in a statement. “As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—putting countless lives at risk.  Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed.  That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York.”

The 55-year-old, who has been charged with one count of attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, one count of transportation of explosive materials and one count of unlawful possession of destructive devices, faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted, according to Fox News.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.