OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Federal charges were filed on Friday against a man who had explosives in his home.
John Austin Panchalk, 42, of Overland Park, Kan., was charged with one count of possessing two M-67 fragmentation grenades that were not registered.
Panchalk is a former Army explosive ordinance disposal technician. According to the affidavit, authorities began investigating Panchalk after a trailer belonging to him at the Parkville Self Storage Facility in Parkville, Mo., was vandalized. Authorities say Panchalk’s trailer was one of a few vandalized on May 19. They say they found ammunition canisters, rocket fins, blasting caps, C-4 explosive and military grenade simulators around his trailer.
When investigators went to question him, they describe him as ‘evasive’ when questioned about the contents of the trailer. They obtained a search warrant and say they found the explosives.
A bomb squad was called Thursday night to Panchalk’s home near 116th and Hauser Street, and FOX 4’s crew at the scene said that authorities with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation were at the house.
According to charging documents, fragmentation grenades, thermite hand grenades and C-4 explosives were all found inside of Panchalk’s home.
Panchalk faces a maximum penalty of 10 years and a fine up to $250,000.
