58°F
weather icon Mostly Cloudy

Incendiary device charges filed in Goldfield incident

Formal charges have been filed against the two individuals arrested in connection to the homemade bombs found in a vehicle parked outside the Esmeralda County courthouse in Goldfield last week.

Bobby McAnally, 32, and Rebecca Leavitt, 28, appeared in Esmeralda County Justice Court Monday to be arraigned on charges of possession of component of explosive or incendiary device with intent to manufacture explosive or incendiary device, possession of explosive or incendiary device in or near certain public or private areas, discharging firearm within or from structure or vehicle, transportation or receipt of explosives for unlawful purpose and use or possession of explosives during commission of felony, which stem from a Sept. 17 incident outside the county courthouse.

McAnally was additionally charged with possession of firearm by ex-felon.

According to a criminal complaint filed in the case last Friday by the Esmeralda County District Attorney’s office, McAnally and Leavitt are alleged to have possessed approximately 20 to 30 sticks of loose dynamite in their vehicle as well as two homemade bombs and a .22 caliber rifle.

The first bomb is described in the complaint as a “black taped up round tube with an orange fuse, approximately eight inches long, protruding from the tube on one side.”

The second device is described in the charges as “two bundles of dynamite wrapped up in bundles of three with orange fuse approximately five inches long coming from the device.”

An Esmeralda County Sheriff’s deputy found the items in McAnally and Leavitt’s car last week after they stopped to report a dispute between themselves and the occupants of another vehicle that started in Tonopah.

The responding deputy decided to search their vehicle after it was learned that shots had been fired in the altercation, which is when the items were discovered.

According to occupants of the second vehicle Anthony “Butch” Stone and his brother Nick Stone, the pair was spotted around 6 a.m. in Tonopah the morning of the incident and attempted to confront them about several items they believed McAnally had stolen from their family.

Anthony Stone said Leavitt then fired a shot from the rifle at their car, before telling the brothers she was calling police.

Wanting to protect themselves from her allegations and to keep McAnally and Leavitt from being able to dispose of the firearm, Anthony Stone said they followed the suspects into Esmeralda County and also called police.

McAnally and Leavitt were subsequently arrested and approximately 100 people living and working within a 1,500-foot radius of their vehicle, including about 50 people from a nearby school, were evacuated after the two bombs were discovered.

The FBI Las Vegas Division has reportedly taken the primary lead in the investigation.

Esmeralda County Sheriff Kenneth Elgan said last week the suspects could potentially face federal charges in addition to the state charges his office planned to file.

As of Wednesday both McAnally and Leavitt remained in custody.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.