Putnam County Man Accused of Making Bombs Indicted By Federal Grand Jury

A federal grand jury has indicted a Putnam County man accused of making bombs.  Levi Flatt, of Baxter, was apprehended on August 7, 2023 after the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received a tip about a video online of a man stating, “Hey ATF, let me know if this legal. Uh, a pound of Tannerite, a pipe bomb, and a wine bottle full of diesel.”  Authorities began surveilling Flatt and he was arrested following a search of his work van which officials said revealed pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, a handgun with a tampered serial number, approximately 160 rounds of ammunition, a flak jacket, and a shield.  According to WKRN, authorities said Flatt admitted to building three of the bombs at his home the day before. However, he reportedly denied any intent to cause harm and said he only wanted to see the device explode between two hay bales on his grandmother’s property.  WKRN reports Mr. Flatt has been indicted for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a destructive device, and making a destructive device.