Greencastle man sentenced in Illinois homemade bomb case

Jeremiah Bridges

URBANA, Ill. — A Putnam County man pleaded guilty in an Illinois court Thursday to one count of unlawful use of weapons, admitting he had a device containing more than a quarter-ounce of an explosive substance in a July incident.

Jeremiah Bridges, 39, of Greencastle, was arrested July 12 in Rantoul, Ill., after authorities found his 12-year-old son alone in a farm truck in which an explosive device and loaded weapons were also discovered.

Bridges reportedly told authorities the homemade device containing the explosive substance was a “bowling ball canon,” which he used for recreational purposes.

Judge Tom Difanis sentenced Bridges to 30 months of probation and 51 days in jail with credit for time served. Counts alleging child endangerment and possession of a vintage machine gun were dismissed in exchange for his plea.

In structuring the plea, authorities stressed the importance of Bridges getting professional treatment and not possessing firearms of any kind.

Initially Bridges was charged with two counts of unlawful use of weapons alleging he had a machine gun or similar firearm and the homemade bomb or shell, as well as endangering the life or health of a child.

After his son was found alone in the truck, police located Bridges, who told authorities his home in Greencastle had recently been destroyed by fire.