Judge Orders Alleged Trenton Bomber to Be Detained

A federal judge ordered the man wanted in connection with in Trenton to be detained Thursday after finding probable cause.

Judge Mark Randon ordered John Robert Kennedy, 41, to be detained in federal court.

According to Gina Balaya, public information officer for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Kennedy went before a federal judge for a detention hearing and a preliminary examination of the evidence against him. There are no additional court dates scheduled.

Kennedy was by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Flat Rock on Tuesday for possession of explosives.

According to William Temple, assistant special agent in charge for the ATF, Kennedy had prior convictions for firearms and explosives dating back to the early 1990s.

He is also allegedly responsible for a at on April 28 and an exploded device at , 3080 Van Horn Road, on April 30. No one was injured in any of the incidents.

Kennedy was arrested at his stepfather’s house, where he was living, in the 26000 block of Frontier Lane in Deerfield Estates, a manufactured-home community.

Temple said Kennedy had lived in Indiana for some time but was originally from Michigan.

Kennedy is believed to be a member of the Air Force Reserves, but Temple said the information has not been confirmed due to the time it takes to attain past military records for an individual.

“There are millions upon millions of records,” Temple said.

He added that the man’s mother died last week, but does not believe her death was a catalyst for any of the alleged bomb-related incidents.

Temple said the investigation is ongoing and believes Kennedy was working alone.

He added that the ATF is unaware why Kennedy targeted Trenton High School and ACO Hardware. Kennedy is not cooperating or talking with the ATF at this time.

“We don’t think there are any further threats from this person,” Temple said.