GREENVILLE (AP) – A South Carolina man accused of possessing an explosive said it was his destiny to kill or injure the president, a law enforcement official testified.
David Halsey made the comment to the informants, Anderson County Sheriff’s deputy Rob Gebing said at a federal court hearing on Thursday.
Gebing said informants approached Halsey as potential bomb buyers and commissioned Easley’s man to make a smoke bomb and high-level explosive, media reports said.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents arrested Halsey, 58, on Sunday. He is accused of possessing an improvised explosive that has been configured to cause damage, injury or death.
An email to a lawyer listed for Halsey was not immediately returned. The case is part of a joint investigation by state, local and federal authorities.
A search of Halsey’s home found weapons, ammunition, components used to make grenades and a laptop that contained videos and photos of Halsey throwing grenades in his yard, according to additional testimony at the hearing.