Bomb Incident Suspect Indicted Explosive Device Was Left Near Tahlequah Propane Tank

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— A Fort Gibson man was indicted in federal court Wednesday on separate, unrelated charges, according to a media release.

BRIAN BERRES Under federal law supported by the National Rifle Association, the use of a firearm in a violent or drug-trafficking crime is punishable by a mandatory prison sentence of up to 20 years. A second conviction, if the firearm is a machine gun or is equipped with a silencer, brings life imprisonment without release. Violating firearms laws should lead to very real punishment for violent criminals, but the laws first must be enforced. Ineligible Persons The following classes of people are ineligible to possess, receive, ship, or transport firearms or ammunition: Those convicted of crimes punishable by imprisonment for over one year, except state misdemeanors punishable by two years or less. Fugitives from justice. Unlawful users of certain depressant, narcotic, or stimulant drugs. Those adjudicated as mental defectives or incompetents or those committed to any mental institution. Illegal aliens. Citizens who have renounced their citizenship. Those persons dishonorably discharged from the Armed Forces. Persons less than 18 years of age for the purchase of a shotgun or rifle. Persons less than 21 years of age for the purchase of a firearm that is other than a shotgun or rifle. Persons subject to a court order that restrains such persons from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner. Persons convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
Bryan Berres, 32, of Fort Gibson was indicted on a complaint of possession of an unregistered firearm.

Berres was detained May 9 after he allegedly left a duffel bag containing firearms, ammunition and an explosive device at AmeriGas, a propane company in Tahlequah.

Berres was then hospitalized, and federal authorities took over the investigation.

A media release describes the explosive device as a “CTS Model 7290 1.5-second delay Flash-Bang,” which had not been registered to Berres in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer record. The release says he also possessed “a metal GOEX black powder container, canon fuse and electric matches, which any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device,” which was not registered.

Tahlequah Police Chief Nate King said the backpack had been left within 10 feet of a propane tank.

If found guilty, Berres could spend up to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and/or a $250,000 fine.

Cathy Spaulding