LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Two Louisville residents are facing federal charges after investigators said they stole hundreds of pounds of explosives from a construction site.
The federal agency's Louisville Field Division said the robbery of an explosives storage facility happened early Wednesday, April 1, at a construction site in the 9400 block of Old Bardstown Road.
Officials said workers discovered they had been robbed and reported the explosives as missing in "a theft of explosives from an explosive magazine."
Police arrested James Culver, 44, and Lasierra Chesher, 39, Thursday, in connection with the theft, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky.
Authorities were able to recover all of the stolen explosives within 24 hours after receiving a tip, according to federal officials.
The complaint alleged the pair stored the explosives at another residence before returning home, where investigators later found blasting caps and other materials. When officers approached, Culver briefly fled before both suspects were taken into custody.
A search of their home also uncovered a .22 caliber rifle and ammunition. Investigators said both Culver and Chesher are prohibited from possessing explosives due to prior felony convictions, and Culver is also barred from having a firearm.
Culver faces additional charges related to illegal possession of explosives and a firearm, while Chesher is also charged with possession of explosive material by a prohibited person.
If convicted, Culver could face up to 35 years in prison, and Chesher up to 20 years.
The case remains under investigation by ATF and the Louisville Metro Police Department.
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