An Anderson, Indiana man has been convicted on charges of impersonating a Homeland Security officer and unlawfully possessing Molotov cocktails, after a federal jury delivered a guilty verdict following evidence presented at trial. Joshua W. Stearman, 42, faced scrutiny for the December 2023 incident that involved suspicious activity around a vandalized property and an ensuing police confrontation, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Indiana.

Documentation from the trial indicates that in the early hours of December 12, 2023, Ingalls police responded to a call about a man, later identified as Stearman, who was seen approaching a frequently targeted house. The individual retreated to his red Toyota RAV4 when outdoor lighting activated, prompting police to stop the vehicle. Upon being approached by an officer, Stearman displayed an ID alongside what he claimed was his government identification, asserting he was on a "mission" for Homeland Security, the Justice Department's announcement detailed.

Search of Stearman's vehicle unveiled four bottles with a gasoline odor, equipped with makeshift wicks – elements typical of incendiary devices known as Molotov cocktails. This discovery was backed by analysis from ATF experts during the trial, confirming the contents as gasoline and validating the explosive design of the devices. Stearman's possession contradicts federal law, which broadly prohibits having such destructive devices.

Sentencing for Stearman will occur at a later date, overseen by Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt. The case saw contributions from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the ATF and local police departments, and deputy chiefs U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter have been credited by Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress for their prosecutorial efforts in this matter.