Friday, April 22, 2011

Upper Peninsula Man Indicted on Bombing Charges

Gary John Mikulich, 42, of Kingsford, Michigan, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Detroit today on three counts related to the improvised explosive device left outside of the Patrick V. McNamara Building in Detroit in late February, United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade announced today.

McQuade was joined in the announcement by Andy Arena, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The first count of the indictment charges that in February 25-26, 2011, Mikulich attempted to damage and destroy, by means of an explosive, a building and other personal and real property of the United States, specifically, the McNamara Building. That count also alleges that as part of that conduct, Mikulich created a substantial risk of injury to a person. The improvised explosive device here was left outside of the McNamara Building, in a public area. As to count one, Mikulich faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison, up to a possible 40 years in prison.

The second count of the indictment charges Mikulich with using and carrying a destructive device during and in relation to a crime of violence. As to count two, Mikulich faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison, to run consecutively to the penalty on any other count. Both counts one and two carry a possible fine of up to $250,000.

Finally, in count three, Mikulich is charged with possessing a destructive device that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The penalty on count three is up to 10 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both.

Any sentence will be imposed considering the United States Sentencing Guidelines, based on the nature of the charges and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Detroit Police Department, and law enforcement officers in and around Kingsford, Michigan. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Mulcahy.

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