According to a federal affidavit, an ATF agent and a cooperating witness visited 38-year-old Rickey Parker's home on Jumping Run Road several times in recent months during an undercover investigation to discuss the sale of bombs and drugs.
Parker has no license to sell or possess explosives. Yet, investigators say he sold them sticks of dynamite for $20 apiece. The report states Parker also showed off pipe bombs and sold them one bomb he had made out of an aspirin bottle. The agent said Parker even claimed he could get his hands on C-4 explosives, commonly used by the military.
Investigators also said Parker later sold them crack cocaine.
Parker is the third Johnston County man connected to bombs in the past year.
Lonnie Parrish Jr.
was charged after a pipe bomb explosion in McGee's Crossroads.
Federal agents also confiscated Parrish's Ku Klux Klan garb along with illegal weapons from the home of
Charles Barefoot Jr.
Investigators believe Barefoot planned to blow up the Johnston County Courthouse. He was sentenced on illegal weapons charges last month.
According to the affidavit, Parker does not appear connected to others. Instead of anti-government sentiment, agents indicate Parker made and sold bombs for money and protection. He is quoted as saying, "When you've had a half-million dollars worth of dope stolen, you find a way to guard it."
Considering Parker's past offenses, his neighbors said they were stunned to learn he now faces federal bomb charges. He is currently in federal custody without bond.
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