60-Plus Charges & Homemade Explosives: Federal Prosecutors Handed Annapolis Case

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The case of an Annapolis man facing dozens of charges over homemade explosive devices has been handed off to federal investigators.

The trial of 37-year-old Lee Scott Wygal Ralston was expected to get underway Thursday.

"While the State’s case was prepared for trial today, we agreed to relinquish the case to federal prosecutors given the sheer number of devices found and the federal resources that were used in the investigation," Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess said in a statement to Patch.

"We believe that this is the best path forward."

Related:

• Former Prince George's Co. Deputy Arrested In Annapolis Homemade Explosives Case
• Man Facing Over 60 Charges For Manufacturing, Possessing Explosives: Fire Officials

The Anne Arundel County Fire Department announced in April that more than 60 charges were filed against Ralston after a search-and-seizure warrant returned a large number of explosive devices and related materials from his Annapolis home.

At the time, the Maryland Natural Resources Police said the charges were filed following a monthslong investigation into illegal nighttime deer hunting. One of those incidents saw a residence come under gunfire.

The case also led to charges being filed in September against 51-year-old Micah Sam, a former K-9 handler with the Prince George's County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators said Sam had given Ralston explosive materials and guidance on the construction of such devices.