Child Molestation Charge for Man Arrested in Santa Monica with Guns, Explosives

SANTA MONICA, CA — More charges were filed Wednesday for the man arrested in Santa Monica with a car full of explosives and guns.

Prosecutors in Clark County, Indiana filed child molestation charges against James Wesley Howell, accusing him of having sex with an underage girl, according to Indiana court records.

Howell was arrested Sunday in Santa Monica with several weapons and a 25-pound container of Shoc-Shot, a target explosive that lets shooters know when they've hit a target. He told police he was in town for the annual Los Angeles Gay Pride Festival and Parade.

SEE ALSO:

• Indiana Man Arrested in Santa Monica Arraigned on Multiple Weapons Charges
• Man Arrested with Guns, Explosives in Santa Monica Headed to Court 
• Man Arrested with Guns, Explosives Said He Was Going to L.A. Pride: Police

The arrest came just hours after a gunman killed at least 49 people and injured 53 others at a gay club in Orlando. 

On Tuesday, Howell was charged at the Los Angeles Superior Court, Airport Branch with one felony count each of unlawful possession of an assault weapon, possession of a destructive device on a public street and manufacturing or importing large magazine, according to the Los Angeles District's Attorney's office. He was also charged with one misdemeanor count of carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

According to the gossip site, TMZ.com, Howell fled to California to avoid the molestation charges, though the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office did not confirm this.