BULLHEAD CITY – A Bullhead City man admitted building a bomb he called a “firework” also told authorities that he was merely joking when he referenced the Laughlin Bridge as a potential target, according to court records. Bryan Chambers, 23, was arrested May 7 for making a terrorist threat and for possession of narcotics and drug paraphernalia.
Bullhead City police were contacted by the Yuma Prison Investigative Division on May 6 after a phone monitoring company advised of a conversation involving Chambers, his grandmother Robin Henderson, 73, and his father, prison inmate Christopher Chambers, 48. The elder Chambers is serving an 8.5-year prison term for Mohave County Superior Court jury trial convictions for aggravated assault, burglary and criminal damage.
Review of the audio logs from the phone conversation reveal that Christopher Chambers advised his mother and son to prepare for a probation or parole officer visit at their residence at 793 Church Street prior to his Oct. 21 prison release date.
“Bryan, Robin and Christopher had conversations about hiding drugs and firearms in the vents or other parts of the house,” a Probable Cause statement said. “Bryan told Christopher he was making a bomb.”
Bryan reportedly said he’d do one of two things when his father asked what plans he had for the bomb. He first said he might just detonate it in the desert like his father advised, but offered motive for a second possibility.
“Free the people from the oppression of Flock cameras and secure our data back in our pockets,” Chambers told his father. He said “Laughlin Bridge” when his father asked what he meant.
Chambers reportedly possessed a usable amount of cocaine when arrested at 2551 Highway 95. A subsequent search of the Church Street home resulted in seizure of a small amount of cocaine, a small explosive device and bomb making materials, but no firearms.
Bullhead City Police Department Public Information Officer Emily Fromelt said that the ATF and FBI have been notified, and that the device and materials are in safekeeping until they can be inspected.
No charges have been filed against the elder Chambers or his mother. Bryan Chambers has had an initial court appearance and faces a preliminary hearing on May 18, if not indicted before then.
Chambers is held on $1.5-million bond at the Adult Detention Center in Kingman.
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