Authorities investigate Clarkton man after pipe bomb discovery

Standard Democrat

CLARKTON, Mo. -- An ongoing investigation in Stoddard and Dunklin counties resulted in the arrest of a Clarkton man for having what is believed to be an explosive device in his home.

According to the Stoddard County Sheriff's Department, members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the SEMO Drug Task Force suspected a pipe bomb was located at the residence of Curtis Ray McNece, 36.

A search warrant was executed at the McNece residence Tuesday night by members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Bomb Team, Dunklin County Sheriff's Office, Fire Marshal's Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Clarkton Police Department.

Upon entering the residence, officers searched the residence. However, McNece was not present.

Explosive located

Officers located what they believed to be an explosive device or pipe bomb in McNece's bedroom.

As the search continued, officers located other items believed to be used in the manufacturing of an explosive device such as fuse and powder.

Shortly after the execution of the search warrant, an officer with the Malden Police Department located McNece in Bernie.

He was arrested and transported to the Malden Police Department where he is being held for possessing a prohibitive device, a pipe bomb.

His bond at $30,000.

McNece was to appear in Dunklin County circuit court before Judge Dan Crawford for arraignment of the charges today.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges for McNece could be sought for various other crimes.