Bomb Squad Finds 'Numerous Suspicious Chemicals' In Bradenton

BRADENTON, FL — A 52-year-old Bradenton man was taken into custody Tuesday after the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad seized "numerous suspicious chemicals" from the man's home, including 2 to 3 pounds of what was described as a highly sensitive homemade explosive, the sheriff's office said.

James R. Hoskins Jr. had not yet been charged as of Wednesday. "Majority of the items that were tested came back as precursors for making explosives," the sheriff's office said. "In one of the bags was approximately 2-3 pounds of TATP, an organic peroxide — highly sensitive homemade explosive."

Sheriff's deputies searched the home around 1:45 pm Tuesday after Hoskins was accused of making "concerning statements" to an employee at a substance / mental health facility.

"During the interview, Hoskins disclosed that he was in possession of various materials used to make small rocket motors," the sheriff's office said. "This was a concern because of the type of threats he was making towards his roommate."

The sheriff's office said Hoskins allowed deputies to see the materials. "Bomb techs placed the TATP in a container that allowed it to be safely transported," the sheriff's office said. "A device was also located amongst the powders found. ATF was notified, and will assist with examining that device to see whether it is also destructive."

The sheriff's office said the TATP was destroyed by a counter charge at a gun range in east Manatee County late Tuesday night.

"Hoskins told detectives that he purchased all of the materials online and manufactured the TATP," the sheriff's office said. "He understood how dangerous it was and wrote a statement apologizing for his actions."

The sheriff's office said Hoskins is a convicted felon who was prohibited from possessing or manufacturing explosives.

"Hoskins also admitted that he made some statements earlier about his roommate, but he never intended to harm anyone," the sheriff's office said. "Hoskins was taken into protective custody as the investigation continues."