Pipe bomb suspect will undergo competency assessement

Published 6:05 am Friday, June 11, 2010

A 47-year-old Rose Creek man charged with possessing nine pipe bombs and other weapons in his home will undergo a competency assessment before the case against him proceeds.

Kevin Duane Reed, who faces 18 felony counts after authorities recovered the weapons during a search on May 27, stated that a military history file of his lists him as “clinically insane,” records indicate. A relative also told authorities that Reed had become “very paranoid,” using “strategic lighting” and the cache of weapons to defend himself at his 100 Fourth St. SW home.

Reed’s attorney, Paul Spyhalski, filed a motion to complete the assessment Thursday in Mower County court. When the assessment is complete — and when Reed’s mental competency is determined — the court will determine how to proceed with the case.

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Mower County sheriff’s deputies first got a tip about Reed on May 26 from the relative who mentioned Reed’s supposed paranoia. That relative said Reed had 14 bricks of explosives in the home, according to a criminal complaint.

The next day, authorities went to Reed’s home at around 7:30 p.m. Reed admitted to authorities that he owned several firearms, though he said they were kept in storage. He said he planned on giving the weapons to his 19-year-old son, who also lived at the residence, the complaint states.

Reed, however, denied possessing any explosive devices. After evacuating 10 nearby homes, the Bloomington, Minn., Bomb Squad searched the residence and recovered the pipe bombs. The explosives — one of which was “fully fused and armed,” the complaint states — were safely detonated in a nearby field, and the last of the evacuees were allowed to re-enter their homes at around 1 a.m. on May 28.

During the search, authorities also recovered bomb-making literature, a trunk containing shrapnel, mercury, wire and a timer, and various other chemicals and items associated with the manufacturing of explosives.

The complaint does not indicate a motive, and Mower County Sheriff Terese Amazi said at this time it is unclear what the man’s intentions were with the bombs and other weapons.

If convicted, Reed could face up to 20 years in prison.