The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

October 27, 2012

Man denies intent to make bomb

By Joe Pinchot Herald Staff Writer

MERCER COUNTY — Joshua B. Miller had gunpowder, firecrackers, batteries, switches and wiring in his home, items police said could be used to make a bomb.

Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Robert G. Yeatts on Friday asked Miller what he planned to do with the stuff.

“There wasn’t any plan,” Miller replied.

“Were you going to make a bomb?” the judge queried.

“No,” Miller said. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

Miller added he was surprised by what police seized.

“I don’t know where they found all that,” he said.

Miller, 24, of 157 Clarksville St., Greenville, pleaded guilty Aug. 23 to charges of attempting to make weapons of mass destruction and possession of heroin with intent to deliver.

Yeatts sentenced Miller to 8 months to 2 years less 1 day in Mercer County Jail.

As part of a plea deal, prosecutors agreed not to ask for a mandatory minimum sentence, although no one could recall Friday what the mandatory minimum would have been.

Mercer County Drug Task Force searched Miller’s home Sept. 26, 2011, also turning up marijuana, Ativan pills, drug paraphernalia, $1,128 cash, a shotgun, a stun gun and two switchblades.

Allegheny County Bomb Squad was called in to handle the potentially explosive material.

Yeatts asked Miller if he hunts and Miller said that he does.

“I’ve moved on from that,” Miller said, referring to the 2011 search. “It actually helped me out. I’ve gone to (drug) rehab and counseling and I have a driver’s license, now.”

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