Salzmann pleads guilty in pipe bombing case

A Cape Girardeau man has pleaded guilty to three charges in connection with a June 9 explosion outside the home where his estranged wife was staying.

David Salzmann, 45, pleaded guilty Monday to one count each of assault on a law enforcement officer, unlawful manufacture of an illegal weapon and violation of an order of protection.

The first two charges are felonies.

In October, Salzmann's attorney at the time, Christopher Heeb, told Cape Girardeau County Circuit Judge Benjamin Lewis his client was not trying to hurt anyone else when he set off a homemade pipe bomb in a Cadillac parked in front of a house in the 1200 block of North Spanish Street.

Heeb has moved out of the area, and online court records show Jason Tilley now represents Salzmann.

The explosion, which left Salzmann with non-life-threatening injuries, prompted authorities to evacuate the block around the car while the FBI, Southeast Missouri Regional Bomb Squad and agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives helped Cape Girardeau police officers search for other devices.

Police have said Salzmann set off the bomb when an officer got out of his car.

In October, Lewis denied a defense motion for bond reduction in the case.

Sentencing is set for 9 a.m. May 16.

epriddy@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

1200 N. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO