EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) — Federal sentencing of an Air Force staffer who pleaded guilty to possessing pipe bombs has been postponed until October.
Investigators say 24-year-old Justin Vangilder told an informant that he fantasized about using the bombs to kill child molesters and sought to “inflict as many casualties as possible.”
Vangilder was to have been sentenced Friday in East St. Louis. That’s where he pleaded guilty in April to possessing an unregistered destructive device.
The FBI has alleged in court filings that Vangilder had three pipe bombs in his home. But authorities say there’s no indication that he targeted anyone on southwestern Illinois’ Scott Air Force Base, where he was stationed.
Authorities say Vangilder told an informant he was suicidal and disappointed his parents didn’t support him during his divorce.
