Cedar Rapids man sentenced to probation for making pipe bomb that exploded in his own apartment last year

CEDAR RAPIDS - A Cedar Rapids man was sentenced to five years probation for making a pipe bomb that exploded in his northeast apartment last May.

Gerald R. Legrand, 47, pleaded guilty in March in U.S. District Court to one count of possession of a National Firearms Act device not registered to him. Legrand admitted in the plea agreement that he knew the 'improvised explosive bomb” wasn't registered. He also admitted to purchasing various items to make the bomb about May 20, 2016 from several different stores in Cedar Rapids.

The plea agreement shows he purchased galvanized metal pipe and two end caps at Menards and he also purchased gunpowder from Gander Mountain. He took the items home at 2107 Blairs Ferry Road NE and placed gun powder inside the pipe, placed end caps on the pipe and then drilled a quarter inch hole in the pipe.

The destructive device then exploded unexpectedly, causing significant injury to Legrand, as well as extensive damage to his apartment, the plea shows.

During sentencing, lawyers mentioned the explosion caused injuries to Legrand and he lost the use of both hands and had a severe abdominal injury.

U.S. District Judge Linda Reade also ordered Legrand to pay $10,291 in restitution to the owners of the apartment building.

Court documents show several receipts submitted by the owners for repairs that had to be made from the explosion including damages to other apartments and hallways areas in the building.

There was no information released on the intended purpose of the bomb.

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