A Kansas City man faces charges for allegedly placing explosive devices in a trash can near the Liberty Memorial in Kansas City.
Owen I. Canizales Argueta , 23, faces 20 counts of Possession of an Illegal explosive, according to Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson. Each count carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
“Jackson County does not tolerate threats. Not to our landmarks, not to our gathering places, and not to our neighborhoods. I am proud of KCPD’s swift investigative work to identify and arrest the defendant, allowing our office to quickly file charges,” Prosecutor Johnson said. “With the World Cup just 100 days away, we’re prepared and committed to holding anyone who seeks to harm this community accountable to the fullest extent of the law. We’re working closely with local law enforcement, elected officials, federal partners, and KC2026, to ensure that when the world arrives to our community, we are prepared and safe.”
According to court records, Kansas City Police Department’s Bomb and Arson Section were called to 2 Memorial Drive on Feb. 24. Custodial staff were clearing out trash cans and discovered a red bag with what they believed to be explosives.
Detectives determined the bag to contain 20 homemade explosive devices.
Based on surveillance video, a vehicle entered the driveway near the Liberty Memorial on Feb. 23 and an individual, later identified as Argueta exited the vehicle and placed a red bag in the trash can.
Argueta admitted in an interview with detectives to purchasing the devices and placing them in the trash can.
A Jackson County judge set the defendant’s bond to $100,000 cash only.