A tip that reached a Muskegon County family may have prevented a mass-casualty attack, prosecutors say. Stewart Lee Simon is now facing terrorism and explosives charges after investigators say they found pipe bombs, Molotov cocktails, toxic chemicals, multiple firearms and detailed writings laying out plans for violence against his own family and the public at large.
The case began after a third party told Simon's family that he had made statements threatening an “act of mass violence,” according to woodtv.com. The family passed that information along to Michigan State Police, who opened an investigation into Simon and, working with the Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office, obtained search warrants for his home.
What Troopers Say They Found Inside
When investigators searched Simon's home, they reported finding multiple explosive or combustible devices, including improvised pipe bombs and Molotov cocktails, along with toxic chemicals and several firearms. Investigators also said they recovered numerous writings detailing Simon's alleged plans. The Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office said the evidence indicated Simon's desire to commit an act of mass violence, first against his family, and then against the general populace, in protest against perceived government wrongdoings, as WZZM13 reported. The prosecutor's office did not specify what government actions or grievances Simon allegedly protested.
Officers arrested Simon at his workplace in Oceana County. The prosecutor's office said Simon was armed with a gun and resisted when officers tried to take him into custody, though no officers were reported injured during the arrest, according to the same report from woodtv.com.
Charges Span Two Counties
Simon faces Muskegon County charges of threat of terrorism and possession of an explosive device with unlawful intent, the station reports. Under Michigan law, the terrorism-threat statute covers threatening to commit an act of terrorism and communicating that threat to another person, according to the Michigan Legislature. Separately, Section 750.204a addresses possessing, delivering, sending, transporting, or placing a device constructed to represent, or presented as, an explosive, incendiary device or bomb with specified intent, per the Michigan Legislature's text.
In Oceana County, Simon is accused of carrying a concealed weapon, resisting and obstructing arrest, and felony firearm. He has been in custody since Oct. 22 and is being held in the Oceana County Jail on a $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing on the Oceana County charges is scheduled for Nov. 10.
Prosecutor Credits Tip, Troopers' Response
The Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office credited Michigan State Police with thorough and decisive action that it said almost undoubtedly stopped a tragedy. The office also thanked the third party who reported the threats and thanked Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon for acting to protect citizens of both counties, the station's report notes.
Officials urged the public to speak out when something seems wrong, the same account states. The prosecutor's office said state police are still reviewing the full extent of the warrants, and that the investigation remains ongoing; woodtv.com reported it had not immediately heard back from state police with additional information.
