Explosives case set for trial on Sept. 18

A Great Cacapon man, who was first arrested last September on charges of illegal possession of explosives, was arraigned last Wednesday, August 8, in U.S. District Court, Martinsburg.

Matthew Dean Smith, 32, was indicted in late July on a federal charge of illegally importing explosive material.

At his arraignment, Smith pled innocent to the charge and a jury trial was set for Tuesday, September 18.

He is presently free on personal recognizance bond.

The charge against him stems from an investigation by federal Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) agents, West Virginia State Police and the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Last fall, authorities accused Smith of having an array of explosives and devices that he demonstrated for county and state police in Morgan County and Beckley in an attempt to interest them in buying some.

Officers from the investigating agencies reported confiscating a long list of explosives and devices from Smith’s property at the time.