FBI examines explosives found in accused Bixby bomber’s home
TULSA — An unexploded pipe bomb found in the apartment of a man jailed in connection with the bombing of a Bixby military recruiting office had unusual features, according to court records.
A preliminary FBI analysis of one of two unexploded improvised explosive devices found in Benjamin Roden’s south Tulsa apartment determined the device used two 9-volt batteries and magnets in its construction, a government affidavit states.
“FBI bomb technicians noted the nature of the IED was unusual for Oklahoma, because IEDs with these features are typically seen in other parts of the world,” according to the affida-
vit, filed Monday in Tulsa federal court in support of a request for a search warrant.
Roden, 28, has been jailed since July 11, about 14 hours after a pipe bomb exploded in front of an unoccupied Air Force recruiting station at 10425 S 82nd East Ave. in Bixby.
Roden is being held on two counts of destruction of federal property, malicious damage to federal property by use of explosive and use of explosive to commit a federal felony.
Investigators, with the help of a witness to the bombing and mail sent anonymously to an Oklahoma Air National Guard base in Tulsa, quickly developed Roden as a suspect.
Roden, a former Air Force senior airman trained as a firefighter, was discharged in April from the Oklahoma Air National Guard, according to a spokeswoman for the 138th Fighter Wing in Tulsa.
Roden joined the Air National Guard in 2014 after he left the Air Force, the spokeswoman said. He joined the Air Force in 2012.
Air Force officials told investigators Roden resigned from active duty Air Force when he could not complete the training to become a certified electrician. He since has been described by other military personnel as “smart” and capable of building electronic devices, but also hateful of the military.
Acting U.S. Attorney Loretta Radford said last week that the bombing was not being characterized as a domestic terrorism, but she added that the investigation was ongoing.
The description of the unexploded pipe bomb is contained in an application for a search warrant filed Monday in Tulsa federal court. The search warrant application indicates that officials are seeking evidence from Roden’s Google-associated accounts.
An affidavit filed by an FBI special agent in support of the search warrant application asks a judge to require Google Inc. to disclose to the government copies of records linked to Roden’s Gmail and YouTube accounts. Google owns YouTube.
The affidavit mentions a YouTube channel that contains three how-to videos uploaded one year ago that feature Roden as the instructor.
On the videos, Roden is seen giving instructions about how to build a thermostat. Another video depicts Roden building a light that can automatically switch on when placed in the dark.
A judge Friday ordered Roden to undergo two independent mental exams after his public defender raised concerns about his ability to assist in his defense.
U.S. Magistrate Frank McCarthy scheduled a competency hearing for Roden on Aug. 29. McCarthy plans to have a preliminary hearing and detention hearing for Roden the same day.