NEWS RELEASE

UPDATE:

Devon Ryerson (24) of Vero Beach, arrested earlier today, admitted to detectives that he formerly served in the U.S. Navy. Ryerson was on probation out of St. Lucie County for illegal dumping, which allowed probation and parole officers the ability to search his home. Earlier this week, probation and parole officers located a suspicious device in the home of Ryerson, which was forensically analyzed and determined to be an active explosive device. The device was approximately four (4) inches in length, one and one half (1 1/2) inch in diameter, and wrapped in an aluminum tape type material. The device contained an active .209 caliber shotgun primer, four (4) grams of fine energetic smokeless gunpowder, twenty-five (25) 9/16 inch metal discs and twenty-nine (29) 3/16 inch ball bearings.

As a result of the initial device, M.A.C.E. detectives, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the St. Lucie County Bomb Disposal Unit obtained a search warrant for the home of Ryerson, which was executed earlier today. A second explosive device was found in the home, along with materials consistent with the first device. Ryerson admitted to owning a storage unit containing a third device, which was recovered safely this afternoon. A total of three active explosive devices were recovered, including miscellaneous other explosive materials.

A condition of Ryerson’s probation included not possessing any weapons. During the search of Ryerson’s home, detectives recovered two rifles and one handgun. Other charges stemming from today’s searches are expected in the near future. Ryerson has been transported to the Indian River County Jail where he awaits booking. Ryerson will be held on no bond until his first appearance hearing tomorrow morning.

While working with local probation and parole officers, the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Multi-Agency Criminal Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit developed enough information to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Devon Ryerson (24) of Vero Beach. Today, M.A.C.E. detectives, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the St. Lucie County Bomb Disposal Unit successfully arrested Ryerson on the warrant before serving search warrants on two separate location.

First, a search warrant was executed at Ryerson’s residence, located in the 300 block of 15th Lane Southwest in Vero Beach. Detectives located one active explosive device along with various materials used for making explosives. Detectives are now serving a search warrant on a public storage unit, rented to Ryerson, located in the 300 block of 5th Street SW. In the storage unit, detectives have located a military style backpack containing more explosives and explosive materials. The area surrounding the public storage facility has been evacuated for safety while the St. Lucie County Bomb Disposal Unit safely removes the backpack.

Ryerson is currently in custody under warrant for making and possessing a destructive device and violation of probation. Pending the outcome of the current investigation, other charges are expected. Ryerson will be booked into the Indian River County Jail with no bond.

Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “We want to thank both the ATF and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance today. Our MACE Unit took a very dangerous criminal off our streets and we are proud of them for their hard work and dedication to our community. We are glad Ryerson was taken into custody without anyone getting hurt.”