Man Found With Pipe Bombs Was Militia Member, Authorities Say

TAMPA, FL — A Tampa man arrested Monday on federal weapons charges was a member of a St. Petersburg militia group and expressed dissatisfaction with the government, according to a federal criminal complaint.

The document released late Monday evening sheds light into the investigation that led to the arrest of Michael Vincent Ramos, 24. The Tampa man was brought into federal custody after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) worked with the FBI and Tampa Police Department to execute a search warrant at his 4504 N. Lincoln Ave. home.

Once inside the home, authorities found eight explosive devices described as pipe bombs, an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle, a .45 caliber pistol, ammunition and bomb making materials.

The investigation into Ramos’ activities kicked off on Jan. 30 when Tampa Police were contacted by an acquaintance and colleague of Ramos, Kenneth Ray O’Neill. O’Neill told officials Ramos had between four and six pipe bombs and a sawed-off shotgun in his home, the complaint says.

O’Neill told authorities he saw the pipe bombs and other contraband items during a Jan. 16 visit to Ramos’ home. The report notes that O’Neill questioned Ramos about the items and learned Ramos made the devices himself and used his girlfriend’s credit card to buy all necessary materials off Amazon.com.

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O’Neill didn’t turn to authorities immediately after the Jan. 16 discovery of the explosives. Instead, he and his brother Ryan O’Neill allegedly went to Ramos’ home on Jan. 17 “intending to tell Ramos to get rid of the pipe bombs and to eject Ramos from the company,” the report says.

The conversation ended, however, when Ramos allegedly became aggressive. The brothers told authorities Ramos was standing next to his AK-47 and they thought better of asking him to leave the company.

After O’Neill contacted Tampa Police, a “controlled call” to Ramos was placed Jan. 31 with an ATF agent witnessing and recording the conversation. O’Neill reportedly told Ramos to get rid of the “boom booms.” Ramos agreed, but said he didn’t know how to, the report says.

That call enabled agents to obtain Monday’s search warrant.

After his arrest, Ramos admitted to making the pipe bombs and showed authorities the websites he used to learn how to do so, the report says. He also told authorities where he purchased the materials.

“Ramos told me he was unhappy with the government and was part of a militia in St. Petersburg, Florida, called the United States Patriot Army,” the complaint states.

Ramos further told agents he made the pipe bombs for “preparedness/protective reasons.” In a written statement, he said “he never had any intention of harming anyone with the bombs.”

Intention or not, Ramos was brought into custody. He has been arrested twice in Florida in the past on grand theft and possession and delivery of cocaine charges.

Photo courtesy of the ATF