Video surveillance showed he placed the device on a gate that controls vehicle and pedestrian access to the VA Hospital, according to the U.S. attorney.

TAMPA – A federal judge today (Dec. 13) sentenced a St. Petersburg veteran to five years in federal prison for attempting to destroy United States government property with an improvised explosive device, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

Mark Edward Allen, 61, of St. Petersburg, was arrested June 1. (Click here for related story.) He had pleaded guilty on Sept. 23.

According to court documents, on May 6, Allen placed a hoax explosive device at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Bay Pines. Then, on May 29, he placed an actual improvised explosive device at the same VA Hospital.

Law enforcement agencies responded to the VA Hospital, and a bomb squad determined that the device contained a 9-volt battery, electrical wires, an improvised initiator, explosive powder, and a switch. Bomb technicians ultimately rendered the device safe. Video surveillance showed that Allen had carefully placed the IED on a gate that controls vehicle and pedestrian access to the VA Hospital.

About two days after Allen had placed the IED at the VA Hospital, an individual called law enforcement and reported that Allen had been making other IEDs in his St. Petersburg home. The individual provided one of the devices to the FBI, and abouty seven additional completed and partially completed IEDs were found during a search of Allen’s home. Each of the devices was capable of causing property damage, personal injury, and/or death when properly assembled and initiated.

“The FBI routinely asks the public that if they see something to say something. This investigation proves to us the message is being heard loud and clear. We are grateful for the individual who came forward with the information leading us to Mr. Allen. Their action helped save lives,” said Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Tampa Division Michael F. McPherson.

U.S. Attorney | Courts | Crime | Tampabay News | News Tampa

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