KC man charged for allegedly possessing explosive devices during undercover meeting
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Lake Ethan Roberts, 26, was charged with possessing unregistered destructive devices.
- Prosecutors allege Roberts detonated two devices during a May 14 meeting.
- The FBI lab determined the devices met the definition of IEDs; he faces 10 years.
A Kansas City man has been charged in federal court with possessing unregistered destructive devices after authorities allege he detonated homemade explosive devices during a meeting with an undercover law enforcement officer.
Lake Ethan Roberts, 26, of Kansas City, was charged with possessing unregistered destructive devices and made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday, according to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Federal court records in the case are under seal and were not publicly available for review.
According to the release, Roberts was a member of a group known as the “Red Legs,” which authorities allege has been active since at least November 2023.
The release alleges members of the group discussed in private online chats committing acts of violence targeting government entities and property, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the National Guard and opposing political groups.
Authorities allege in the release that messages attributed to Roberts included discussions of taking “decisive action” against ICE and the Department of Homeland Security and raised the possibility of using drones carrying incendiary devices against infrastructure.
According to the release, Roberts wrote: “After we build our ranks and adequately arm ourselves, we can look into escalation.”
The release further alleges members of the group periodically trained together at a local firearm range.
The charge stems from an alleged meeting May 14 in Richmond, Missouri, where prosecutors say Roberts and another alleged group member met with an undercover law enforcement officer.
According to the release, Roberts brought two devices wrapped in duct tape with apparent fuses and described them as “alcohol shooters filled with black powder surrounded with steel BBs.”
Authorities allege Roberts detonated both devices in a rock quarry area to test them.
The FBI Laboratory Explosives Unit later determined the devices met the definition of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, according to the release. Authorities also determined Roberts had not registered any destructive devices as required under the National Firearms Act.
If convicted, Roberts faces up to 10 years in federal prison, according to the release.
