Taylor County Man Arrested for Threatening to Kill County Officials
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 -- 9:05 AM
-A 22-year-old Taylor County man has been arrested after allegedly boasting he planned to use homemade explosives to kill three county officials.According to a news release, Taylor County detectives began investigating after receiving a tip on April 23 that Patrick R. Staton, of the town of McKinley, had been making improvised explosive devices and planned to kill a Taylor County judge, district attorney and sheriff's department detective.
Authorities found evidence Staton had manufactured at least one bomb and intended to explode it in the courthouse to kill the judge and district attorney. He also allegedly "boasted" he knew where the detective lived and planned to blow up the detective's home.
Investigators obtained a warrant to search Staton's home and vehicle and reportedly found several items believed to be used in making explosives, as well as drug paraphernalia.
Colby-Abbotsford Police Department, Taylor County Sheriff's Department and the Milwaukee office of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were involved in the investigation.
Staton was arrested and is in Taylor County Jail. His bail is set at $25,000.
Staton currently faces several other criminal charges, including armed robbery, intimidating a witness, and manufacturing and delivering drugs.
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