84-Year-Old Louisiana Man Accused of Making Homemade Bombs

LAKE CHARLES, La. - An 84-year-old Lake Charles man is facing a serious explosives charge after authorities say they discovered homemade explosive devices and other materials inside his home.

Oh yeah, investigators say his house is located only about 500 feet from a school.

The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Here's what we know so far.

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Deputies Search Lake Charles Home During Investigation

According to KPLCTV.com, detectives searched the Lake Charles home of John W. Sinkankas, 84, on October 2 as part of an ongoing joint investigation.

The investigation involved detectives with the Combined Anti-Drug Task Force along with the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police and the ATF.

What investigators allegedly found inside the home led to Sinkankas being arrested.

Authorities say they discovered several pounds of explosive powders, approximately 18 pounds of explosive precursor materials, multiple homemade explosive devices and additional materials used to assemble the devices.

John W. Sinkankas — Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office

At first, authorities thought what they had found inside the home were just fireworks, but they were allegedly made to only look that way.

From CPSO.com -

During the investigation, it was discovered Sinkankas was manufacturing and selling explosive devices from his home, which is within 500 feet of a school. Detectives initially learned the devices were manufactured to resemble fireworks, but after further investigation it was discovered, the devices contained an illegal amount of explosive materials.

Deputies allege that Sinkankas was not only manufacturing the devices but also selling them.

These are allegations from investigators, and Sinkankas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The Lake Charles Home Was Near A School

Authorities say Sinkankas' house where the explosives were allegedly being made and sold is located approximately only 500 feet from a Lake Charles school.

This obviously adds another layer of concern to an investigation that already involves homemade explosive devices and large quantities of explosive-related materials.

Sinkankas was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with manufacture and possession of a delayed-action incendiary device, according to CPSO.com.