Massachusetts Man Faces Charges for Alleged Bomb-Making Activities
A 21-year-old from Newton, MA, is charged with covering up bomb-making efforts and making false statements. The case involves an explosion at the University of Chicago and traces of explosives at Logan Airport.
Aram Brunson, a 21-year-old resident of Newton, Massachusetts, faces serious legal consequences for alleged bomb-making activities and subsequent attempts to conceal them. The charges stem from an incident that occurred approximately 19 months ago at the University of Chicago, founded in 1890 by John D. Rockefeller.
In January 2023, Brunson allegedly triggered an explosion in his dormitory room at the university. Federal investigators claim he was attempting to construct a large black powder device, one of the earliest known chemical explosives. The incident resulted in room damage and dormitory evacuation.
Authorities assert that Brunson's actions were motivated by a desire to take militant action against Azerbaijanis and others perceived as threats to ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. This disputed territory has been a source of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan since the early 20th century.
Evidence against Brunson includes videos allegedly showing him instructing others on creating explosive devices and rigging doors and desks with grenades. Investigators also cite internet searches suggesting plans to target foreign diplomatic facilities in the United States.
The case took a new turn in August 2023 when Brunson's bags triggered explosive alarms at Logan International Airport, New England's largest airport. He allegedly provided false statements to Customs and Border Protection officials regarding the presence of a highly volatile explosive substance.
A subsequent search of Brunson's Newton home, located about 7 miles west of downtown Boston, reportedly uncovered a recipe for the explosive. Trained explosive detection dogs also indicated the substance's presence in three locations within his bedroom.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy emphasized the distinction between protected speech and illegal actions:
"While radical political views may be constitutionally protected, experimenting with extremely dangerous explosives in support of those views and then engaging in false statements about your conduct is crossing the line."
Currently, investigators believe Brunson is residing in Yerevan, Armenia, attending the American University of Armenia, an institution established in 1991, the same year Armenia declared independence from the Soviet Union.
Each charge Brunson faces carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a maximum fine of $250,000, as established by the Criminal Fine Enforcement Act of 1984.
As the investigation continues, efforts to encourage Brunson's return to the United States have been unsuccessful. The case underscores the complex interplay between freedom of expression, international conflicts, and national security concerns.
