A Merced man who made and detonated bombs in 2021 has been sentenced to 10 years and five months in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Ana de Alba imposed the sentence on Wes Parker McDaniel, 53, in a Fresno court on Monday,  U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced in a news release.

De Alba also ordered the forfeiture of McDaniel’s destructive devices, a rifle, and ammunition, and set his restitution at $2,180.

According to court records, between Feb. 1, 2021, and June 22, 2021, McDaniel made 12 destructive devices or bombs, The ingredients included illegal fireworks purchased in Nevada, ammunition, shrapnel, and fire-starting material.

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Merced, Lemoore Residents Targeted

He deployed six of the bombs at two residences in Merced and one residence in Lemoore against his intended victims.

One bomb hit the wall of a house, exploded, and destroyed the fence, which was shared with a neighboring property. Shrapnel emitted from the device created pockmarks on the wall of the house, and a propane tank was badly burned. McDaniel placed two bombs near the car of another victim and threw a bomb at the residence of the third victim.

Officers executed a search warrant at McDaniel’s residence where they found six bombs, bomb-making material, a .22‑caliber rifle, and boxes of ammunition. As a convicted felon, McDaniel is prohibited from possessing firearms, destructive devices, and ammunition.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Merced and Lemoore police, and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office investigated McDaniel. Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar prosecuted the case.

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