This quick bodycam footage from Putnam County, Florida, shows a shocking incident where a Sheriff’s Deputy is caught in a chemical pipe bomb’s explosion while searching a vehicle in April of 2024. Fortunately, the Deputy was not seriously injured, and was released following admission to an area hospital.

An adage often repeated in Law Enforcement academies and training is that “there is no such thing as a routine traffic stop” and this incident seems like it could come from one of the hyperbolic training scenarios designed to prove that point.

Here we see the Deputy searching the vehicle of one Charles Legault, “Florida Man” incarnate. I attach this title because his truck was stopped for having a license plate that did not correspond to the vehicle, and in addition to the bomb (check out the Deputy literally picking it up and moving it as he fails to recognize what it is), a handgun, a non-registered suppressor, and twenty rounds were found. There was one other incriminating item found, and long-time Florida residents (such as myself) or monitors will likely know what it was- that’s right, methamphetamine.

The bomb, briefly shown, consisted of two small chambers at either end, filled with reacting chemicals. A valve in the middle, marked “Armed” separated the two reagents. When opened, the valve allowed the two chemicals to mix, react, and explode in a noxious cloud. While we don’t know Legault’s original intent for the device (Legault claimed he was just storing the chemicals rather than wasting them), this suggests that he armed it with intent to harm the Deputy. The Deputy suffered slight respiratory damage that was probably lessened by the windy conditions that day.

The investigation is ongoing, but the Putnam Co. Sheriff’s office believes that Legault may have had plans for the bomb which concerned the anniversaries of prominent Law Enforcement and domestic terror events in April, such as the Waco, Texas siege or the Oklahoma City bombing. Charles Legault was charged with possessing an explosive as well as an unregistered suppressor, aggravated battery on LEO, and trafficking meth. In an unusual turn of events for someone charged with crimes of this nature, Legault had no prior contact with police.

 

About the Author

 

       

     

Cole Simms

     

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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