Malden Man Found Guilty Of Plot To Kill Government Officials

CONCORD, NH — A 69-year-old Malden man was convicted of buying illegal firearms and explosives from an undercover FBI agent in New Hampshire for the purpose of killing government officials to "express his frustration with the legal system," Acting United States Attorney John J. Farley said Wednesday morning.

In Oct. 2015, Edward McLarnon tried to buy illegal weapons from someone he believed to be an arms dealer but was actually an FBI agent undercover. McLarnon negotiated with the agent and paid $700 cash for weapons at a store in Chichester, NH. He then obtained a .22 caliber pistol with a silencer, an AK-47-style semiautomatic rifle, ammunition, and two hand grenades at a Seabrook, NH rest stop. McLarnon was arrested shortly after.

Prosecutors said during the six-day trial McLarnon intended to use the weapons to kill his ex-wife's husband, a Boston federal judge, and a former Massachusetts Attorney General. His ex-wife's husband at some point has worked as a social worker, according to reports.

McLarnon was found guilty of receiving firearms with the intent to commit murder, receiving an unregistered silencer, receiving explosive materials, and receiving an explosive with the intent to harm persons or property. He faces a maximum prison sentence of 10 years for each count, and will be sentenced May 10.

"I am grateful to the jury for rendering this swift and just verdict," said Farley. "The evidence at trial demonstrated that the defendant devised a frightening plan to use weapons to kill several individuals to express his frustration with the legal system. Thanks to the hard work of the brave law enforcement officers who participated in this investigation, the defendant’s violent plan was stopped before anyone was hurt."

Harold H. Shaw, Special Agent in Charge from the FBI Boston Division, said, "Edward McLarnon purchased an AK-47, grenades, a silencer, and ammunition with the sole intent of killing the former Massachusetts Attorney General, a sitting federal judge, and other government officials. Today’s conviction ensures that Mr. McLarnon will not be able to further endanger innocent lives."

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