ST. GEORGE — The Washington County Bomb Squad was called to Washington City when detectives received information that a suspect was possibly in possession of an incendiary device. The device was later recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, police say.

On Oct. 4, 43-year-old Levi Lawrence Yoder was arrested and transported to the jail in Washington County following an investigation by the Washington City Police Department, according to arrest documents filed with the court.

The investigation started when detectives obtained a search warrant for the suspect’s residence and vehicle prior to meeting up with Yoder in a Washington City parking lot that evening.

While speaking with Yoder, officers searched the vehicle and recovered what appeared to be an explosive device. Washington City Police Chief Jason Williams told St. George News the device was a suspected pipe bomb.

The Washington County Bomb Squad was called to the scene to assist in the investigation.

Prior to the search, the report states, officers obtained evidence to suggest the suspect may be in possession of the device and how the device was designed. Bomb squad technicians were dispatched to the scene to safely handle the item found using a robot that recovered the device for police. 

Officers also recovered suspected methamphetamine during a search of the suspect, along with drug paraphernalia that was found on the front seat of the suspect’s vehicle.  

During a search of Yoder’s residence, officers found a firearm, which authorities stated that he is prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon.

The suspect was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility facing charges of second-degree felony possession of an explosive device and possession of a firearm by a restricted person, a third-degree felony offense. He also faces one count each of possession of a controlled substance and paraphernalia, each a misdemeanor.

Based on the nature of the item’s found, detectives requested that Yoder be held without bail. The request was approved when District Judge Jay Winward placed a no-bail hold on the suspect, court records indicate.

The following day, formal charges were filed by the Washington County Attorney’s Office and on Friday, the suspect made an initial appearance in 5th District Court and the no-bail hold remained in place. A waiver hearing has been scheduled in the case for Wednesday.

When asked, Williams said that no further details could be released in reference to the explosive device since the incident is still under investigation and proceeding through court.

This report is based on statements from court records, police or other responders and may not contain the full scope of findings. Persons arrested or charged are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law or as otherwise decided by a trier-of-fact.

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