Mail Collection Box Bomb

Texas Man Indicted in Connection with U.S. Mail Collection Box Bomb

April 8, 2010 - TYLER, TX—U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced that a 52-year-old Henderson, Texas man has been indicted in connection with a destructive device found in a U.S. mail collection box in the Eastern District of Texas.

Larry Eugene North was indicted by a federal grand jury on Apr. 7, 2010 and charged with possession of an illegal firearm or destructive device after having been arrested without incident in Tyler at approximately 11:00 a.m. CDT that same day.

According to prosecutors, North had previously been identified as a person of interest in connection with destructive devices which were being placed in postal collection boxes in East Texas. On the morning on Apr. 7, 2010, North was observed placing such a device in a Tyler collection box leading to his subsequent arrest in the 3400 block of Corporate Drive. Following his arrest, a search of North’s vehicle revealed an additional destructive device.

North has an initial appearance in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love at 1:00 p.m. on Apr. 8, 2010. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted.

This investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed. This investigation is being led by the ATF, Postal Inspection Service, FBI, and the Texas Rangers with assistance from numerous other federal, state, and local agencies. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore.

It is important to note that an indictment should not be considered as evidence of guilt and that all defendants charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.