MCSO arrests pair for possession of explosives

On Sept. 4, Mineral County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Melissa Crane was dispatched to 403 2nd Ave. in Superior in response to a report of a small explosion heard in the area.

After arriving on scene and conducting a series of interviews two men, Christopher and William Frye, were arrested on the charge of criminal endangerment and subsequently charged with possession of explosives. According to Dep. Crane’s affidavit, the two lit off “small pipe bombs” and the call to MCSO was made by Mark Boyett.

“Mark Boyett said Christopher Frye had informed him he had a couple of pipe bombs inside of his house,” Crane’s affidavit reads. “Boyett said at first he didn’t believe him, but then today he was down by the river when he heard an explosion.”

The sound prompted Boyett to return home, where his mother told him “the neighbor lit something off in his yard.”

Upon completing her conversation with Boyett, Dep. Crane then went to 205 Alder St. to talk to Christopher and William. After Dep. Crane read the two their Miranda Rights, both agreed to discuss the incident and show her the area were they said it was set off.

“William indicated Christopher showed him the pipe bomb and said, ‘hey check this out’ Christopher wanted to blow it up in the yard but William said ‘no let’s take it between the garages,’” the affidavit reads.

The two were then arrested on charges of criminal endangerment and taken to the Mineral County Jail for processing. On Sept. 5, Mineral County Attorney Marica Boris filed felony charges on both men on two counts – possession of explosives and criminal endangerment.

The charges carry the possibility of up to 30-years in prison and/or a fine up to $100,000.

Bail for each of the Frye’s was set at $25,000.