Crime & Safety

Man Accused of Manufacturing M80s Indicted in Federal Court

Three of the four charges carry a penalty of 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines.

In April, a portion of County Line Road was closed to traffic much of the day as police and federal authorities removed over 1,000 rounds of explosives resembling M80s from a Germantown home.

Bodie Witzlib, the man who allegedly manufactured those explosives, on Tuesday was indicted in federal court. He was charged with dealing and transporting explosives without a license, possessing explosives as a felon, and improper storage of explosive materials, according to U.S. District Court records.

Three of the four charges carry a penalty of 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 in fines. Witzlib was charged earlier this month with four counts of possession of improvised explosives, and he could be imprisoned up to six years on each count.

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According to the criminal complaint filed with the Washington County Circuit Court:

Police received call April 30 from Witzlib’s relative after he had visited his mother’s home on County Line Road and Fond du Lac Avenue. Witzlib had stocked the basement with materials to manufacture his M80s for his business, “G.I. Fireworks.”

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When police searched the property they found over 1,000 devices, cardboard tubing and wicks. They were all detonated in a local quarry throughout the day Wednesday.

Witzlib told police he was in the process of obtaining a federal license for his firework business. He sold each firework for $5. He had also created brochures for his business, and produced a safety sheet for the safe use of his product. He was hoping to expand his business on the Internet.

Police also found containers of military-grade ingredients used to manufacture the product in a shed on the property. Witzlib had also mailed a sample of his fireworks to a former employer. Police obtained a package with Witzlib’s return address as evidence from the man. The package contained two M80s, a pricing guide, and a handwritten note, which said:

“In addition to going to school full time, I started a small business over winter. I bought a bunch of raw materials and made some fireworks. When it gets closer to the 4th, let me know if you need any. Tell everyone you know (except the cops!).”

Witzlib is being held on $25,000 cash bond, and has not entered a plea. 


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