Local Children Charged With IED Production

Teen, Two 11-Year-Olds Arrested for Manufacture and Use of Bombs

An ongoing investigation by Deputy State Fire Marshals has lead to the arrest of one adult and two juveniles. Brandon W. Kitchen, 19, of Chesapeake Beach, was charged with Manufacture, Possession, and Use of a Destructive Device and two counts of Reckless Endangerment. Two 11-year-old juveniles, also of Chesapeake Beach, were charged with Manufacture, Possession, and Use of a Destructive Device.

The office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal says that on the evening of November 8, in the area of St. Andrew’s Drive, Chesapeake Beach, Kitchen manufactured and detonated an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) in the presence of an 11-year-old juvenile. Later in the evening, the 11-year-old juvenile proceeded to manufacture and detonate a replica IED with an additional 11-year-old juvenile. The two juveniles were released to the care and custody of their parents. Kitchen was served with a warrant and is currently being held at the Calvert County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.

From the comments to the article is the suggestion that the "bombs" in question were constructed using aluminum foil and drain cleaner.  While certainly dangerous to the teenagers and tweens involved, I don't see this as a $10,000 bail event.

If I recall correctly, homemade bombs were a rite of passage for the scientifically inclined teenager.  I still have possession of all my fingers, toes, and most of my original eye tissue, but it was a near thing on a couple of occasions.