By Pepper Fisher

PORT ANGELES – Police say John Spradlin, the suspect found on Monday to be in possession of a realistic looking but fake explosive device in Port Angeles, was also in possession of an actual IED and the explosive powder needed to make it viable.

The police report filed in court Tuesday says that when PA Police Officer Tait found Spradlin, who had run from the scene in the parking lot adjacent to Edna’s Place on E. First Street, he had on his person a jar of smokeless gun powder, a flare gun and a large knife. The flare gun was loaded with a shell and its hammer cocked.

Soon after his arrest, the State Patrol Bomb Squad called to say they had found a second device in Spradlin’s tent that was not an imitation. Trooper Nestor told them that if the device was filled with the smokeless powder found on Spradlin, it could be an active bomb, detonated with something as simple as a 9-volt battery.

Spradlin was scheduled to make his first appearance in court Tuesday, but he refused to leave his cell. He was assigned a Public Defender, and Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Matt Roberson was granted a 72-hour hold of the suspect to give them time to make a charging decision.

They are considering Malicious Placement of an Imitation Explosive Device and/or Attempted Possession of Explosives.

A second hearing is scheduled for Thursday of this week. Spradlin is being held on $75,000 bail.