Two are nabbed on IED charges

By on Wednesday, July 7th, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

BOARDMAN – Two men have been arrested on charges related to allegedly making improvised explosive devices in a shed in the Boardman area of Morrow County. Jailed are Adrian Lee Ahumada, 37, of Boardman and Brenden Kane Strickland, 19, of Clarkston, Washington.

The Boardman Police Department had received the tip and news that one of the suspects was at the shed on Shoemake Road. Since that’s outside the city limits, the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office was called. Personnel from both departments approached the area and observed a male suspect throwing three objects into a nearby field.

The Oregon State Police Bomb Squad was called from Pendleton and rendered all three devices safe. The squad also determined that the objects in question were destructive devices that could have caused major bodily harm. MCSO interviewed the man observed in the field, and then a second man arrived on the scene and was also interviewed.

Both of the men were charged with three counts each of unlawful manufacturing of a destructive device and possession of a destructive device. Preliminary bail is set at $60,000 each.