Mount Pleasant Man Charged With Having Bomb-Making Materials

A 23-year-old Mount Pleasant man has been charged with possession of improvised explosives after police found bomb-making materials inside his home in January.

Gregory Pappenfuss, who lived in the 4700 block of Weatherwood Lane, is now in police custody at the Racine County Jail after a warrant was issued for his arrest. He had his initial court hearing Friday.

If Pappenfuss is convicted, he faces up to six years in prison and/or fines of up to $10,000.

According to the criminal complaint:

Pappenfuss’ wife called the police in January because he had been fired from his job and she told police that he had talked about killing himself.

Officers attempted to reach the man by phone, but were unsuccessful. While Mount Pleasant police went to the home, Racine police responded to reports of a man at North Beach carrying a gun. The man was taken into custody without incident and taken to Wheaton Franciscan St. Mary's for psychiatric evaluation.

Even though Gregory had a concealed carry permit, police searched the home because he had threatened to commit suicide, and they decided to take all of the weapons.

During the search, officers found 15 firearm cases, knives and swords hanging from hooks, metal cases of ammunition, scopes and surveillance equipment. Police also confiscated an AR-15 grenade launcher, AK-47 sniper rifle, five handguns, a compound bow, a shotgun, two .22 caliber rifles with scopes, 75 knives, swords and edged weapons, two canisters of pepper spray, a stun gun, and 100 rounds of various caliber ammunition. 

They also found bomb-making chemicals, instructions on how to make bombs, and a large pan with a hole burned through it was also found.

Bail was set for $20,000 and the next court date is Aug. 21.