Prosecutor: Brecksville Bomb Plot Suspect Sought to Use Phone to Detonate Explosives

According to a federal prosecutor, the man suspected in plot to blow up the state Route 82 bridge in Brecksville had sought to use a phone to detonate what he believed were real explosives.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman outlined the alleged plot, and the suspected role of Joshua Stafford, at the trial in Akron on Tuesday.

He told jurors that Stafford tried “again and again” to use the phone, according to a report on NewsNet5. 

“He wanted that bridge to be destroyed," Herdman said. "He wanted that bridge to come down."

Stafford, who is representing himself, admits he can be seen in an infrared video taken of the bombing suspects by the FBI, however he told jurors that the evidence will show "I did not have malicious intent to destroy that bridge."

No bomb went off and no one was injured in the April 30, 2012 plot.

According to the report on NewsNet5, an informant who secretly recorded conversations helped FBI agents foil the bomb plot, and an undercover agent supplied the would-be bridge-bombers with fake plastic explosives, authorities have said.

Stafford's case has been held up by what were described as "psychiatric" issues.

The four men, along with Stafford, of Cleveland, were arrested after attempting to blow up the state Route 82 bridge in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park on April 30. 

Brandon L. Baxter, of Lakewood; Connor C. Stevens, of Berea; and Douglas L. Wright, of Indianapolis; and Anthony Hayne of Cleveland; all pleaded guilty last year.

They were all sentenced to federal prison.

Prosecutors had labeled Stafford and his four co-defendants as domestic terrorists.

This isn’t Stafford's first time in a court room.

With a listed address of Lorain Avenue in Cleveland — and arrested in that city — he's also previously faced charges in Lakewood.

In August 2010, he pleaded guilty in Lakewood Municipal Court to charges of contributing to the delinquency of a minor; giving false information to a police officer; and possession of drug paraphernalia.

In Lorain County, he also was charged by the Avon Lake Police on four separate occasions, with charges that include criminal trespassing; theft and receiving stolen property; and attempted breaking and entering.