Ohio Man Drove Bomb To Maryland, Targeted Romantic Rival: Prosecutors

BALTIMORE, MD — An Ohio man pleaded guilty this week to driving a bomb to a Carroll County home to harm its resident, the boyfriend of a woman he wanted to date, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland.

Clayton Alexander McCoy, 32, of Chesterfield, Ohio, pleaded guilty to charges of transporting explosives with intent to injure and possessing an unregistered firearm/explosive device.

According to the authorities, McCoy admitted to building an explosive bomb in his Ohio home before driving it to the victim's home, intending to kill the victim. Prosecutors said McCoy had known the victim and his girlfriend for several years through a live-action role-playing game.

In October 2020, McCoy expressed romantic feelings for the woman, who told McCoy she was in a relationship with the victim and did not share McCoy's romantic feelings, authorities said.

McCoy then devised a plan to build and deliver a bomb to the victim's house. According to authorities, McCoy researched how to make a pipe bomb and went to multiple stores to purchase supplies to make the bomb. To avoid detection by police, McCoy bought single items from stores and paid for the materials in cash, prosecutors said.

Authorities said McCoy placed the bomb into a gift box and tied a red ribbon around it. He then packed it into a larger box with a shipping label and no return address. Authorities said that he armed the bomb so it would explode when the smaller package was opened.

On Oct. 30, 2020, McCoy drove the bomb from Ohio to the victim's residence, placing it on his front porch around 8:30 a.m. The victim's grandfather saw the gift box and took it inside, placing it on the kitchen counter, according to authorities.

When the victim returned home around 5:30 p.m., he opened the larger box and took the smaller container into his bedroom. As he opened the box, the bomb detonated, striking the victim with shrapnel and causing injuries to his chest, legs, and the front of his body. Authorities said he was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for his injuries.

According to prosecutors, the victim spent nearly three weeks in the hospital. He used a walker for two weeks following the explosion and underwent multiple surgeries to remove shrapnel from his body. Authorities said several pieces of shrapnel still remain inside the victim's body.

On March 10, 2021, police searched McCoy's Ohio residence and located the items used to make the bomb. McCoy initially denied making the bomb, but admitted to it when authorities showed him maps of his movements on the day of the bombing.

McCoy faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for transporting explosives with intent to injure and a maximum of 10 years in prison for possession of an unregistered explosive device. A sentencing date has not been scheduled.