Indiana Weapons Suspect Also Facing Molestation Charges In Home State
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — An Indiana man charged with possessing weapons and explosive materials as he headed for the LA Pride parade also faces charges of sexually molesting a 12-year-old girl in his home state.
James Wesley Howell, 20, was charged with child molestation Wednesday in Clark County in southern Indiana, a day after the weapons charges were filed against him in California.
Howell is accused of molesting the girl in his car on May 31. According to the Indianapolis Star, officials believe Howell left for California after learning he was being investigated in the molestation case. Howell reportedly also threatened to kill himself, members of the victim's family and police if they tried to arrest him.
The Indiana man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges of unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of a destructive device on a public street, manufacturing or importing a large magazine, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle. He is scheduled to return to court on June 29.
During Tuesday's arraignment, Howell's bail was increased from $500,000 to $2 million, with a prosecutor saying the defendant had 20 pounds of explosive mix in his car, along with five gallons of gasoline – materials that could create an explosive similar to the one used in the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building. Some of the materials were already mixed in a bucket in the car, the prosecutor said.
If convicted in the California charges, Howell faces up to nine years and eight months in prison.
FBI officials say Howell could still face federal charges as well.
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