CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A 35-year-old Corpus Christi resident has been convicted for making unregistered pipe bombs and felony possession of a firearm.
CCPD says Robert Spencer confessed to building the pipe bombs after investigators surrounded his home while following up on calls of a shooting in the area.
When they approached to Corpus Christi man, he fled into his home, appearing to be armed. A one-hour standoff ensued, during which time, law enforcement officers head two gunshots come from inside the home as Spence yelled for them to leave.
Eventually, he exited the home unarmed, allowing officers to arrest him.
A search warrant lead to the discovery of six pipe bombs and three firearms, along with boxes of ammunition, in the attic. Officers also discovered another firearm next to Spencer’s home, where they initially spotted him.
Police say that's when Spencer admitted to law enforcement that he assembled the pipe bombs himself, according to authorities. He also claimed the firearm they had found outside the home.
Authorities said the pipe bombs were not properly registered to Spencer in the National Firearms Registration and transfer record.
Spencer's defense attorneys reportedly told a jury that the man was unaware of the firearms found in his attic and that the pipe bombs were not destructive devices.
A federal jury found Spencer guilty after a 90-minute deliberation following a three-day trial.
As a convicted felon, Spencer is prohibited from possessing firearms by federal law.
U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos presided over the trial and set sentencing for Feb. 4, 2025. At that time, the convicted man will face up to 15 years in federal prison for possession of firearms and up to 10 years for possession of unregistered pipe bombs and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
He will remain in custody until the hearing.
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