Man found with homemade explosive sentenced to jail and probation - East Idaho News
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Man found with homemade explosive sentenced to jail and probation

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REXBURG — The man who police say was found with a homemade explosive in his apartment will spend a few more days in jail.

Richard Scott Breckenridge, 59, pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of disturbing the peace. On Wednesday Magistrate Judge David Hunt placed him on two years of probation with seven more days in jail. Breckenridge was previously charged with felony unlawful possession of a destructive device, however, prosecutors amended the charge to the two misdemeanors.

Court records show Breckenridge has already spent 87-days in jail following his December arrest.

RELATED | Rexburg police find homemade device containing pressure cooker, wires and gasoline

Police reports show the Rexburg Police Department found Breckenridge in December at his West 5th South apartment after a neighbor said Breckenridge made suicidal statements. According to police, inside the apartment, they found a black trash bag on the floor with a “clear outline of a large pot,” and the smell of gas.

Inside the bag, officers found a fully constructed crude incendiary device” made with 7-quart jars containing gasoline inside a pressure cooker. According to court documents, Breckenridge said the gas had been hooked to a timer before it was unplugged.

RELATED | Rexburg man accused of having explosive device found unfit for trial

Police arrested Breckenridge and took him to jail. Hunt then found Breckenridge unfit for trial and ordered him to undergo a competency evaluation. After being found fit to proceed in February, the case proceeded with prosecutors reducing the charge and Breckenridge receiving his sentence.

In addition to the time on probation, court records show Hunt ordered Breckenridge to pay a total of $2,315 in fees and fines.

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