Fifth Brecksville Bomb Plot Suspect ‘Competent’ for Court

The case against the fifth and final suspect in the Brecksville bomb plot is slated to head back to court this month.

His case has been delayed for a psychiatric review.

The Plain Dealer reported that Joshua Stafford of Cleveland has been found competent to stand trial, according to his defense lawyers.

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. 

A forensic psychologist examined the 23-year-old, and has wrapped up her report and shared it with federal prosecutors and defense lawyers, the Plain Dealer reported.

She’s expected to testify at Stafford's competency hearing on April 15. The judge will hear legal briefs on Stafford's "psychiatric" issues.

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.

This won't be 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.