Whipple jailed for homemade bomb
A Dechard man will serve 120 days in jail after he was caught carrying a homemade bomb earlier this year when police arrested him for a domestic disturbance.
The suspect, Robert T. Whipple, 34, entered guilty pleas to charges of possession of explosives, simple possession of drugs, aggravated assault, assault, criminal trespass and evading arrest. He was ordered to serve 120 days of a five-year sentence, with the balance of his term to be spent on probation. He must also pay $750 plus court costs.
Whipple was charged this January after lawmen found the unusual device on his person after they chased him down when he ran from the scene of a domestic disturbance. Police are not sure the bomb was operable at the time it was taken from Whipple.
The chase began when Whipple allegedly violated an order of protection put against him by his ex-wife. Police theorized he may have been carrying the device for intimidation purposes.
In other court action Friday:
• Susan Harmon was directed to serve 150 days of a six-year sentence and make restitution for burglary and theft.
• Michael Vance was instructed to serve 91 days of a two-year sentence, pay $100 plus costs and stay away from Wal-Mart for two years for theft.
• Arlin Pinkard Jr. must serve 90 days for violation of probation.
• Randy Hitchcock must serve 30 days for violation of probation.