Possession of bomb nets probationary term

Steven Cole, 45, of Howell, was sentenced to five years of probation last week for his guilty plea to a one-count Information that charged him with receiving and possessing a firearm, namely an explosive bomb, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Camden.

U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson also ordered Cole to pay an $8,000 fine.

At his plea hearing on June 26, Cole admitted that on Dec. 15, 2006, he illegally possessed an explosive bomb containing tannerite.

Cole was arrested on June 26, 2007, by special agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. At that time, authorities seized an explosive device, along with two shotguns and four rifles, according to the press release.