West Plains, MO. – Court documents that were released on Tuesday state the suspect that possessed a pipe bomb in Howell County on Sunday had mundane plans for its contents.
Rodney D. Smith of Pomona was arrested on Sunday by the Howell County Sheriff following a 9-1-1 call about Smith being unconscious in a vehicle on County Road 5130. Smith was initially arrested for driving while suspended but, an investigation uncovered a pipe bomb in the vehicle. The device was safely disposed of by the Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Squad.
Smith has since been charged with unlawful possession, transport, manufacture, repair, or sale of an illegal weapon.
Smith later told law enforcement that he had received the bomb from another person and he planned to use the black powder contained within to reload ammunition. Additionally, Smith is a convicted felon and prohibited from possessing firearms in the State of Missouri.
