RICHLANDS, WV (WOAY) – An arrest has been made in the investigation of explosives found near a home.
Cole Carini, 23, was arrested yesterday and is charged with one count of lying to federal agents.
According to court documents, on June 3, 2020, Carini went to a health clinic in Richlands suffering from an amputated hand, amputated fingers on the opposite hand, and shrapnel wounds to the neck and throat. After being interviewed at the hospital by officers, Carini reported that his injuries were caused by a lawn mower accident at his home
During a search of Carini’s home, agents found the lawn was overgrown and found no other evidence indicating a lawn mower had recently been used. They did, however, find evidence of an explosion, more consistent with the types of injuries Carini had suffered.  Agents also discovered significant quantities of what is believed to be Triacetone Triperoxide, an explosive substance used in the creation of improvised explosive devices.
When questioned again, Carini insisted that he was injured when the lawn mower flipped over while he was mowing the grass. Â Carini also stated he had no explosives in his residence.He will make his initial appearance in later today in U.S. District Court.
The investigation of the case is ongoing and is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Virginia State Police, the Richlands Police Department and the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Zachary T. Lee and Whit Pierce are prosecuting the case for the United States.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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RICHLANDS, VA (WOAY) – Currently, the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Virginia State Police and the FBI, are investigating an incident that occurred on Holy Road just outside of the Town of Richlands.
During the next couple of days, citizens may notice a large law enforcement presence and may experience traffic delays and power outages in the surrounding area, including Jewell Ridge Road.
As a safety precaution, some residents in the area have been asked to leave their homes for a period of time but should be able to return late today or tomorrow.
The safety precautions are due to law enforcement finding combustible and explosive material inside and outside the home.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call the 911 Center at 276-988-0902.
