Undercover SFPD Operation Nabs Suspected Bomb Makers, Barrels Of Dangerous Chemicals
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) - San Francisco police have arrested two men suspected of the manufacturing and sale of explosives.
Sean Patrick Gunther, 37 and Marc Steven Ormando, 47 were booked on booked on multiple counts of unlawful possession and sales of destructive devices after their arrest on March 6th. The bookings came after an undercover operation by the Special Investigation Division "spanning several months," according to the San Francisco Police Department.
"A large cache of explosives, seventeen firearms including handguns and rifles, and large barrels containing explosive making chemicals were located" at Ormando's Pacifica residence, according to a police press release.
Explosives were located at Gunther's home, along with illegal drugs, police said.
Over 600 explosive or destructive devices, as well as bulk material consistent with making pyrotechnic or flash powder, were located during the search, San Francisco Police Sgt. Danielle Newman said.
The possession and manufacturing of explosives at these residences was a major public safety issue, Newman said.
"Had something happened it would have been catastrophic," according to Newman, who said adjacent buildings would have been destroyed had the explosives been detonated.
Both Ormando and Gunther were charged with 16 counts pertaining to the possession, sale or transportation of a destructive device, according to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office spokesman Alex Bastian.
Gunther was also charged with possession of methamphetamine. His bail is set at $1.5 million, according to Bastian.
According to Newman, Ormando was also arrested on suspicion of child endangerment, but the district attorney was unable to confirm that charge.
Ormando's bail is set at $2 million, according to the district attorney's office.
Bastian said the case is in the process of being transferred to San Mateo County.
The FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Marin County Task Force assisted in the investigation.
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