GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A South Carolina man accused of possessing an explosive said it was his destiny to kill or harm the president, a law enforcement official testified.
David Halsey made the comment to informants, Anderson County Sheriff’s Deputy Rob Gebing said at a federal court hearing on Thursday.
Gebing said informants approached Halsey as potential bomb buyers and commissioned the Easley man to make one smoke bomb and a high-level explosive, news outlets reported.
Agents with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division arrested Halsey, 58, on Sunday. He is accused of possessing an improvised explosive that had been configured to cause damage, injury or death.
An email to an attorney listed for Halsey was not immediately returned. The case is part of a joint investigation by state, local and federal authorities.
A search of Halsey‘s home found guns, ammunition, components used to make grenades and a laptop computer that contained video and photos of Halsey launching grenades in his back yard, according to additional testimony at the hearing.
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