HOUSTON – A 50-year-old man residing in Houston has been arrested on charges that he attempted to transport explosives for the purpose of injury or destruction of property, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson along with Special Agent in Charge Perrye K. Turner of the FBI.

Cary Lee Ogborn is charged with attempting to transport explosives with the intent that those explosives be used to kill, injure, or intimidate any individual or to damage or destroy a vehicle or building. He was arrested late Friday after picking up a package he believed contained such explosives. He is expected to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy at 2:00 p.m. today.  

The criminal complaint, filed upon his arrest, alleges he initiated an anonymous online order of explosive materials on a network of computers designed to conceal his true IP address. Ogborn allegedly went to an online marketplace that enables vendors and users to conduct anonymous transactions involving the sale of illegal goods.

Beginning on or around Aug. 20, 2016, Ogborn allegedly sent a private message via this network seeking items he intended to use to cause the explosion of a building. According to the complaint, Ogborn continued to communicate with someone he believed was a vendor, but whom was actually an undercover FBI employee.

Ogborn eventually placed an order for items he intended to use to destroy a vehicle and a building, according to the charges. After receiving notice that his package had arrived in his post office box, Ogborn allegedly retrieved the package and opened it.

He was arrested soon thereafter.  

If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Houston High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, Montgomery County Narcotics Enforcement Team and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.

A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.