Student charged with making bomb

Published 2:27 pm Monday, March 2, 2009

A University of North Alabama student from Wilsonville is one of four men accused of making and detonating a bomb outside a fraternity house, authorities said.

UNA police arrested freshman Aaron Bush, 19, on Feb. 25. Bush was arrested with William Dill, 22, of Muscle Shoals; Collins Montgomery, 18, of Moulton; and Dusty Talley, 18, of Tupelo, Miss. Josh Woods, UNA public relations director, said all four men — members of the university’s cross country team — have been expelled.

The four men were held at the Lauderdale County Detention Center, where Bush, Talley and Montgomery were released on $1,000 bond each. Dill was released on $2,000 bond.

They each were charged with criminal possession of explosives — a Class C felony. If convicted, each faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The Lauderdale County District Attorney’s office has sent the case to the grand jury. A trial date has not been set.

Woods said a police report was made on Feb. 21 after a loud boom was heard near UNA’s fraternity row, where officers found the remains of a homemade explosive known as a “Drano Bomb” — a small, plastic soda bottle containing toilet cleaner.

“After some investigation, (police) identified the four individuals and obtained arrest warrants,” Woods said.

Authorities say Drano Bombs can cause blindness and third-degree burns. Woods said the university is grateful the incident ended without injury.

“Fortunately, no one was injured and no property damage was done,” said Woods, adding the bomb remains were found in the middle of the street. “These devices can do some very serious damage.”

Woods said the accusation is a violation of the university’s code of conduct. The four men will stand before the university’s hearing board within the next week.

Woods said the board could overturn the expulsions.