Jerry Mahan, 57, is being held on a $250,000 bond after allegedly being in possession of a homemade explosive device at his home in the 400 block of W Park Street in Olathe, Kansas.
People in the neighborhood said the property where Mahan lives was surrounded by fire trucks and police cars on Friday.
Neighbors later learned it was because Mahan was allegedly in possession of a small homemade explosive device.
Mahan made his first court appearance on Monday.
Mike McDonald works in a garage near Mahan’s house. McDonald said Mahan was a bit of a loner.
“He just kept to himself. He usually sat out front smoking cigarettes all day long,” said McDonald. “He didn’t really have any visitors.”
Mahan has been charged with one count of possession of an explosive device.
“There are both federal and state laws that prohibit making your own explosive devices,” said Steve Howe, the District Attorney for Johnson County.
Howe said often people don’t realize the severity of what they are doing in these cases.
“You can get into a lot of trouble by doing something like that,” said Howe. “The bigger issue is you can be putting your lives and other lives at risk.”
Records show Mahan is employed by the contractor that owns the property in the 400 block of W Park Street. Neighbors believe Mahan acted as a caretaker of the building behind the small house.
We’ve reached out to the property owner and have yet to hear back.
“He seemed like just an old retired guy just waiting for his next fishing trip,” said McDonald.
Mahan has a criminal history. He has been arrested for assault several times including one arrest for aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer.
Mahan’s next court date is August 15.
