Explosive Device Goes Off In Suspect's Own Home; May Have Been Targeting Others

By Mike Perleberg Bradley C. Back. Photo by Dearborn County Sheriff's Department. (West Harrison, Ind.) - Prosecutors are suggesting a West Harrison man may have had sinister plans for an explosive device that went off in his own home. Firefighters from Bright, Greendale and Harrison responded to a reported explosion at the home of Bradley C. Back on Ledgestone Drive on Easter Sunday, April 16. The neighborhood is a quiet residential area where homes are built in close proximity to one another. After clearing the home, firefighters found that some walls inside were blown out over five inches as the result of pressure from a destructive device detonating, according to a news release from Dearborn-Ohio County Prosecutor Lynn Deddens. Investigators from the Indiana State Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team and the Indiana State Fire Marshal came to assist the Dearborn County Sheriff's Department in the investigation. They found that there had been a homemade explosive device with shrapnel capabilities, Deddens said. Back, 29, was arrested the same day of the explosion, jail records show. He faces charges of Possessing a Destructive Device (level 2 felony), Manufacturing or Possessing a Destructive Device (level 5 felony), Attempting to Manufacture a Destructive Device (level 5 felony), and Criminal Recklessness with a Deadly Weapon (level 6 felony). A level 2 felony in Indiana carries a possible sentence of 10 to 30 years. Back made his initial appearance in Dearborn Superior Court I on April 19. It was there prosecutors presented some startling evidence during the court hearing that Back may have intended to harm others with the explosive. According to the bail order prepared by Judge Jonathan Cleary, "The State presented significant evidence of instability, disdain for authority, and mental health concerns. The Court was advised that police have recently been called to his residence on other occasions for suicidal ideations by the Defendant. On one occasion zip ties, rope, rubber gloves, and a handgun were located in his vehicle. The State chose not to file criminal charges due to a concealed carry permit and other factors at that time, but had concerns as to whether or not he was suicidal and/or homicidal. The State advised the Defendant had recently been in a mental health hospital. The State further advised that the results of a Search Warrant revealed some extremely concerning recent internet searches concerning how to use an explosive on a SUV fuel line, Mafia hits, and other concerning searches." Prosecutors also told the court that Back had recently broken up with his girlfriend and that the explosive device may have been inside a gift bag when it went off. Judge Cleary has ordered Back be held on a high bond of $250,000 cash and $500,000 surety bond. The investigation is continuing. Back's defense counsel, Brookville attorney Jud McMillin, said there is still much to discuss in the case. "There's another side to all of this and we certainly plan on mounting a vigorous defense to the charges," said McMillin. "The system starts with the state filing charges and, at that point, anybody charged with a crime doesn't really have an opportunity to mount a defense. Our turn is coming and we plan to exercise our rights."