Pipe bomb suspect pleads not guilty

A Jackson man accused of detonating a pipe bomb last month outside a Cape Girardeau residence pleaded not guilty to three charges Monday in connection with the explosion.

David Salzmann, 44, was charged with two felonies -- assault of a law enforcement officer and unlawful possession of a weapon -- and misdemeanor violation of an order of protection after a June 9 explosion outside a Spanish Street residence.

He is accused of detonating a pipe bomb inside a Cadillac parked outside a house where his wife was staying in the 1200 block of North Spanish Street.

Salzmann waived arraignment Monday and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The morning of the explosion, Sgt. J.T. Selzer of the Cape Girardeau Police Department said Salzmann set off the device in an apparent suicide attempt as an officer approached his car.

Salzmann sustained non-life-threatening injuries, Selzer said at the time. No one else was hurt in the attack.

The explosion prompted Cape Girardeau officers to evacuate the block around the Cadillac while the FBI, Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped them search for other explosives in the vehicle and elsewhere in the neighborhood, Selzer said at the time.

Trista Frederick, a special agent and public information officer for the ATF, has said the pipe bomb was too poorly constructed to pose a serious threat to anyone but Salzmann.

Online court records show Salzmann has a history of legal troubles, including orders of protection related to allegations of abuse involving his mother, stepchildren and an unnamed adult.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of chemicals with intent to manufacture a controlled substance in 2009 and misdemeanor third-degree assault in 2011.

Salzmann was found indigent last month, and Chris Heeb of the Cape Girardeau County public defender's office was assigned to his case.

Salzmann remains in the Cape Girardeau County Jail on $75,000 bond.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

1200 North Spanish Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo.