A 19-year-old Arlington, Virginia resident, Jordan Alexander Sweetman, is facing multiple charges, including possession of explosive materials, following an incident on New Year's Day. Authorities in Warren County responded to a report of a masked individual discarding items from a stolen Honda without license plates. Sweetman was later apprehended at a nearby 7-Eleven after attempting to flee on foot.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle was stolen, Sweetman had no valid driver's license, and he displayed indications of mental health challenges. Following a medical assessment, he was initially charged with obstruction of justice, possession of burglary tools, concealing identity with a mask, and driving without a license.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered suspected homemade explosives, prompting the involvement of specialized units including the bomb squad and ATF. The devices were safely removed and detonated in a controlled environment, leading to additional charges related to the manufacture and possession of explosive materials.
While Sweetman's LinkedIn profile indicated employment at Joint Base Andrews Civil Air Patrol Composite Squadron, the Civil Air Patrol clarified that he was not an employee nor a registered volunteer. Sweetman is currently detained without bond at RSW Regional Jail. Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding this incident to contact them.
This incident coincided with two other unrelated events involving explosives on New Year's Day. One involved a fatal truck attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, where the perpetrator had also planted undetonated explosives. The other involved the explosion of a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas, believed to be a suicide related to PTSD.
