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Man arrested after pipe bomb found near Baptist church in Las Cruces


Mugshot of Nathan Wallace (credit: Doña Ana County Jail){ }
Mugshot of Nathan Wallace (credit: Doña Ana County Jail)
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On Tuesday, authorities were called out to a church after 12 a.m. in Las Cruces to investigate bomb.

Nathan Wallace was seen next to a small park near East Mesa Baptist Church at 6160 Moongate Road.

A Dona Ana County sheriff's deputy reported he noticed a syringe with black substance on top of a playground.

The deputy witnessed Wallace placing several items into a black bag next to a gray 8-inch long galvanized pipe, believed to be a pipe bomb.

Wallace was asked about the item, which he responded "it's not drugs, it's gun powder."

A bomb team with the sheriff's office was called to investigate the scene.

Gun powder was found inside the pipe along with an assembled battery bridge used for initiation..

Authorities also discovered a red and black multi-meter device with several rechargeable battery pieces.

Wallace's arrest affidavit stated, additionally, a black and red wire wrapped together which was perceived as to possibly use to charge the battery was located along with a motion sensor.

An expert determined it was an explosive device.

The items along with two syringes that contained heroin in them were collected, the document stated.

Wallace told investigators he rode his bike to the church to charge his laptop because he didn't have electricity.

Investigators asked Wallace why he had the explosive device and the drugs on him.

"They were randomly placed inside his backpack," Wallace told investigators.

He also told them he knew what it looked like and told them he is not allowed to have it in his possession.

Wallace admitted he was a frequent meth user and had used before the deputy saw him.

The 40-year-old was arrested and charged with possession of an explosive or incendiary device.

New Mexico court records showed Wallace pleaded guilty to possession of explosive or incendiary device, possession of explosive or incendiary device conspiracy, receipt, transportation or possession of a firearm or destructive device by a felon and shoplifting in 2006.

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