PINELLAS COUNTY, FL. – A man has been arrested on Friday after he was seen with a “destructive device” at a political assembly in the parking lot of the Pinellas County Courthouse.
Garrett James Smith, 22, was seen running away from the direction of an “active political lawful assembly” gathered in the Pinellas County Courthouse parking lot.
The political lawful assembly was being held in support of Jeremy Brown, who is facing federal charges for his roll in the U.S. Capitol riot. Protesters argue Brown is being held as a political prisoner.
For background, Brown was charged with knowingly entering a restricted building or grounds without lawful authority and knowingly disrupting the orderly conduct of government business or official functions, according to the Justice Department. Court records say that he organized a trip to Washington, D.C., days before supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the Capitol building.
Brown is one of more than two dozen current and former military service members to have been charged over their alleged involvement in the Jan. 6 riots.
During the event on Thursday, deputies noticed Smith, wearing all black, with a black face covering, and a black backpack, running away from the courthouse gathering around 7:30 p.m. Thursday.
After arresting Smith, deputies searched his backpack, where they found a black helmet and a list of items referred to as a Direct action list or (DACK) according to the sheriff. Deputies also located a pipe-style explosive device.
Deputies say that Smith’s car was nearby and containers M-80 explosives.
A search of Smith’s home led to the discovery of multiple hand grenade-type explosives with nails and duct tape.
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri referred to Smith as a sleeper, with no known social media accounts or criminal history.
According to deputies, Smith was charged with several counts of possessing a destructive device, and loitering and prowling, after he was seen running away from the direction of an active political lawful assembly.
Investigators added that Smith was recently visiting Portland, Oregon, and said that Smith refuses to talk.
Smith is being held on a $300,000 bond.
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