Bomb materials found in N.C. home

SHAWBORO, N.C.

The FBI is investigating two brothers renting a Shawboro house where Currituck County detectives found bomb-making materials, flight-training papers and poisonous plants that could be made into weapons of mass destruction.

Daniel Allen Robinson II, 34, has been charged with two counts of possession of weapons of mass destruction, including a bottle with a fuse attached and several chemicals and poisonous plants that could be used for bomb-making, Currituck County Detective Nathan Capps said Thursday.

Robinson and his brother, Timothy Brian Robinson, 32, were charged with possession and manufacture of marijuana.

At a news conference, Sheriff Susan Johnson said the FBI has not yet filed federal charges against the brothers.

Daniel Robinson is being held in a Chesapeake jail without bond. Timothy Robinson is in the Currituck County Detention Center under a $60,000 bond.

The brothers began renting the house on East Ridge Road in October. About 6:30 p.m. on March 11, the landlord, who was not identified, drove past and saw a dog in the doorway. The rental contract did not allow pets.

When he stopped to question them about it, the landlord also asked about a light that was on in the attic of the single-story house, and he saw plants growing up there. The landlord reported to police what he'd seen.

Capps and Detective Stephen Houston found marijuana and plants that could be used to make poisonous powders, such as oleander, monks hood and castor. In Daniel Robinson's bedroom they also discovered chemicals that could be used for bomb-making, such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid.

They found ammunition for .45-caliber, .308-caliber and 9 mm guns and shells for a 12-gauge shotgun, but no weapons.

Capps and Houston contacted the FBI.

"It's extra important to know who your neighbors are," Johnson said. "You don't expect something like this in such a rural area."

Among the materials were papers indicating Daniel Robinson had been taking flight lessons from Curtis Eads Flight Center in Chesapeake, Capps said.

Daniel Robinson was not at home during the search but was arrested later by the FBI. Timothy Robinson was cooperative during the search, Capps said. Daniel Robinson has a felony charge on his record and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, Houston said.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, jeff.hampton@pilotonline.com