Toledo man was charged with making false statements following search of his home and car

A Toledo man was charged with making false statements.

Vincent S. Armstrong, 23, was charged in U.S. District Court with one count of providing false statements to a law enforcement officer.

The charge was announced by United States Attorney Justin Herdman, FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeff Fortunato and Toledo Police Chief George Kral.

Armstrong lives with Elizabeth Lecron, who was arrested Monday and charged with one count of transportation of explosives and explosive material for the purposes of harming others and property. Lecron is accused of purchasing black powder and screws that she believed were going to be used to make a bomb as part of a terrorist attack.

According to an affidavit filed in Armstrong’s case:

Armstrong and Lecron flew together in August to visit sights related to the shooting at Columbine High School. During a search of their home that month, law enforcement found an AK-47, shotgun, multiple handguns, ammunition and end caps purchased by Armstrong, which can be used in the manufacture of pipe bombs.

Law enforcement also found journal entries by Lecron and Armstrong discussing a violent attack. On June 8, Armstrong wrote: “Now I have these thoughts…These memories. They haunt me. I have a vision. A vision to kill. To hunt the unwilling...”

On December 10, law enforcement searched the residence Armstrong and Lecron share on Willow Run Drive, as well as their vehicles. The trunk of Armstrong’s vehicle had a duffel bag that contained a tactical vest with two loaded magazines for an AK-47, two loaded magazines for a pistol, a gas mask, printouts of instructions how to construct various bombs, and other items.

In the residence, law enforcement removed a shotgun, a handgun and an AK-47 with the stock removed.

Armstrong was interviewed on December 10. He denied discussing with Lecron plans to launch an attack. He also denied purchasing items that could be used to make a bomb.

The investigation is ongoing.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, which is comprised of members of the FBI, Homeland Security and Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Ohio State Highway Patrol and Toledo Police Department, is leading the investigation. They were assisted by the FBI’s office in Denver. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Freeman.

If convicted, the defendant’s sentence will be determined by the Court after review of factors unique to this case, including the defendant’s prior criminal record, if any, the defendant's role in the offense and the characteristics of the violation.  In all cases, the sentence will not exceed the statutory maximum and in most cases it will be less than the maximum.

A charge is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.