Green Township Man Charged with Crimes Related to Pipe Bomb Incidents

An arrest was made on Tuesday.

Shutterstock photo.

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury indicted a Green Township man today, charging him with crimes related to explosive devices.

Robert Gilb, 50, was arrested on Tuesday after he allegedly detonated three improvised explosive devices (IED) in Hamilton and Butler counties in March and April.

A complaint affidavit details that on April 12, Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Miami Township for a report of a loud explosion. They discovered what appeared to be a blast crater and components of an IED.

Further investigation revealed that there were two prior incidents in Morgan Township and two more in Butler County.

“The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested Robert Gilb for possessing an unregistered destructive device and transporting explosive materials,” stated FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola. “This alleged activity posed a serious risk to public safety. The FBI worked closely with our law enforcement partners to neutralize this potential danger and protect the community.” 

Gilb is charged with three counts of possessing an unregistered destructive device and three counts of transporting explosive materials.

Possessing an unregistered destructive device and transporting explosive materials are federal crimes punishable by up to 10 years in prison.