A Sharon, Pennsylvania resident has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to violating federal explosives laws. The announcement was made by First Assistant United States Attorney Troy Rivetti.
Paul Lyn Graves, 47, received the sentence from United States District Judge Cathy Bissoon. Graves admitted to illegally possessing explosive materials despite being a convicted felon. According to court information, Graves began working at a military equipment manufacturing company in January 2022, even though he had a prior felony conviction. By April 2022, his duties included assembling detonators for M213 grenade detonating fuses, which contain Royal Demolition eXplosives classified as explosive materials under federal law.
On April 14, 2022, Pennsylvania State Police executed a search warrant at Graves’ home and found three M213 grenade detonating fuses in an incomplete assembly state that matched the stage of work assigned to him at his job.
Judge Bissoon cited both the dangerous nature of the offense and Graves’ criminal history during sentencing.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark V. Gurzo. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rivetti recognized the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Pennsylvania State Police for their roles in investigating the case.
