BRADENTON -- The bomb squad and hazardous materials team collected suspicious chemicals from a home on 32nd Avenue East in Manatee County, following up on statements made by the man who lives there.
Deputies say 52-year-old James R. Hoskins Jr. was being interviewed by an employee at a substance abuse facility and admitted possessing materials used to make small rocket motors. Detectives were concerned because, they say, Hoskins was making threats against a roommate. Deputies confirmed the volatile materials by visiting what Hoskins called his "powder room."
The Manatee Sheriff's Office says most of the items they tested came back as potential components for explosive. In one bag they found about two to three pounds of TATP, a highly sensitive homemade explosive. They placed it in a safety container and took it to a gun range in eastern Manatee County Tuesday night, where it was detonated.
According to detectives, Hoskins said he purchased all of the materials online and manufactured the TATP. He insisted he never meant to harm anyone. Deputies have taken Hoskins into protective custody. Charges are forthcoming as Hoskins is a convicted felon, prohibited from possessing or manufacturing explosives.
See video of the controlled detonation
Photo and Video Credit: Manatee Sheriff's Office