Feds Foil NYC Bomb Plot, Charge Man With Building And Planting IEDs

NEW YORK CITY — A Long Island resident is facing several charges after prosecutors say he built several bombs with plans to use them around New York City.

Michael Gann, 55, from Inwood, N.Y., is accused of making at least seven homemade bombs using chemicals he bought online before bringing them into Manhattan, authorities said.

In May 2025, Gann allegedly ordered about two pounds of potassium perchlorate and one pound of aluminum powder—both precursor chemicals—along with more than 200 cardboard tubes and over 50 feet of fuses.

Around the same time, authorities said Gann searched online for information about explosives and firearms, including how to make flash powder and whether he would pass a background check.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, Gann stored five of the explosives on rooftops of adjoining residential buildings in SoHo and reportedly threw one onto the subway tracks near the Williamsburg Bridge.

Prosecutors said surveillance footage captured Gann on SoHo rooftops with the explosives. In one photo, he is seen holding a black device containing about 30 grams of explosive powder, 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks, authorities said.

Authorities said no one was harmed before the man was arrested last month.

“The safety of New Yorkers is paramount,” said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. “As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—putting countless lives at risk. Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York.”

A grand jury indicted Gann on three counts: attempted destruction of property by explosives, transportation of explosive materials, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. If convicted on all counts with consecutive sentences, he could face up to 40 years in prison, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.

Gann was arrested on June 5, prosecutors said. According to the indictment, just hours before his arrest while carrying an IED, he posted on Instagram: “Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?”

“Due to the successful partnership of law enforcement agencies in New York, Gann was swiftly brought to justice before he could harm innocent civilians shortly after his dangerous actions became known," FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia said. "The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force is enduring in its commitment and determination to protect the homeland.”