Man pleads guilty to felony charges

A Cape Girardeau man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to felony drug and bomb charges. David B. Branum, 46, pleaded guilty to one count of attempt to manufacture methamphetamine and one count of malicious use of an explosive device.

Branum faces up to 40 years in prison and a $2 million fine on the meth charge and up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on the explosive device charge. Sentencing has been set for May 5.

His plea stems from an investigation conducted by the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force that resulted in a search warrant being executed Oct. 15 at his home at 716 Broadway, Apt. 2, in Cape Girardeau. Officers seized numerous ingredients used in the manufacture of the drug.

On Nov. 27, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were called to investigate a pipe bomb explosion that damaged a vehicle owned by Deborah and Darrell Kitchen on Caufield Drive. Subsequent investigation led authorities to believe Branum planted the bomb.

When Branum was arrested at his residence Nov. 27 on the drug charge, officers found in plain view galvanized pipe, similar to the pipe found at the Kitchen residence, and other items commonly used in the making of pipe bombs.

With this new information, the agents obtained a federal warrant for another search of Branum's home. Numerous items were seized, including improvised explosive devices, Pyrodex, and galvanized pipes and end caps.

Branum later admitted he placed the bomb beneath the car and intentionally detonated it. He was ordered by the court to pay damages for the explosion.