CLARK

BUCKHANNON — An Upshur County man remains in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $100,000 bond after allegedly setting off an explosive device in his neighbor’s yard.

William J. Clark, 62, of Buckhannon, was arrested for illegal possession of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices, three counts; criminal use of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices, and wanton endangerment involving destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices, all felonies.

Deputy Tyler Gordon with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call for service on the Selbyville Road regarding threats leading to possible gunshots on Monday, according to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s office. Upshur County 911 dispatchers advised Gordon that a sound similar to gunshots was heard in the background during the call and that the caller advised that Clark left in a green Ford truck from the residence on the Selbyville Road, according to the criminal complaint. Gordon met the green Ford truck traveling north on Route 20 in French Creek. Meanwhile deputy Joseph Barcus had been sitting near Clark’s residence on the Abbott Road and was able to initiate a traffic stop on the vehicle.

Gordon continued on to Selbyville Road to speak with the caller, Holly Collins, who advised that the Clark family had been in a verbal altercation with the Collins household throughout the evening and that Clark was at the residence arguing with a Steven Williams and attempting to get Williams to come outside.

Clark then allegedly yelled, “If you’re not coming out, I got something for ya” just minutes before witnesses heard a loud boom outside the house, according to the criminal complaint.

Gordon observed a disturbed area in the dirt and located large pieces of metal shrapnel across the yard.

Barcus discovered two more pipes identical to the one found on scene inside the Ford truck belonging to Clark, bringing the total number of devices to three. Gordon also found a long-necked lighter and a box containing substances believed to be fireworks explosives and fuses in the truck when he came to the scene of the traffic stop.

Magistrate Kay Hurst set bond at $100,000 cash or surety.

Illegal possession of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices carries a possible penalty of one to 10 years or fined not more than $5,000, or both. The penalty for criminal use of destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices carries a possible penalty of two to 10 years and/or fined not more than $10,000. Wanton endangerment involving destructive devices, explosive materials or incendiary devices carries a possible penalty of two to 10 years or fined not more than $10,000, or both.