Man trying to modify grenade accidentally sets it off, injuring 3 in OK, feds say
An Oklahoma man was sentenced to prison after officials said he accidentally set off a grenade while trying to modify it.
Jerry Brandon Pearce, 56, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, according to a July 8 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma. He was sentenced to two years in prison.
McClatchy News reached out to Pearce’s attorney for comment July 9 but did not immediately hear back.
The charge stems from an incident on Sept. 4, 2023.
On that day, authorities were called to Pearce’s home in Indianola for reports of a blast.
When agents arrived, they found Pearce and two others hurt from a detonated grenade, according to prosecutors.
Pearce was attempting to modify the grenade when he accidentally set it off, officials said. Investigators also found additional “assembly components for building additional grenades,” according to prosecutors.
“Pearce’s actions were egregious and could have been fatal,” United States Attorney Christopher J. Wilson said. “Pearce put his own interests ahead of the safety of the community and caused immense harm. Such caustic conduct cannot and will not be tolerated.”
Indianola is about a 120-mile drive southeast from Oklahoma City.
