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Charges filed against IN man allegedly headed to LA gay pride parade with arsenal

Investigated for alleged sex assault in Clark Co.
Posted at 3:15 PM, Jun 14, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-14 21:20:49-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Weapons and explosives charges were filed Tuesday against the Indiana man who was allegedly headed to the LA gay pride parade with an arsenal.

James Howell, 20, was arrested Sunday in Santa Monica, California.

Police say they found three assault rifles, high capacity magazines, ammunition and a five-gallon bucket of chemicals that could be used in an explosive device in his car.

Howell was charged in Los Angeles County with unlawful possession of an assault weapons and explosives.

A judge granted prosecutors' request and set bail for Howell at $2 million.  Detectives say he poses a significant danger to the community and is a flight risk.

If convicted, Howell faces up to nine years in jail.

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The FBI says Howell is not being charged federally at this time; however, the investigation is ongoing.

Agents from Indianapolis searched Howell's home in Clark County, Ind. on Tuesday.

The Clark County Sheriff's Office also confirmed Tuesday that James Howell is being investigated as a suspect in an alleged sexual assault that happened on May 31.

The sheriff's office is working with the FBI on the case.

This is just the latest development out of Clark County related to Howell.

Call 6 Investigates confirmed that he was arrested on a gun charge in Indiana last year.

Documents obtained by Call 6 Investigates also show that Howell had a 17-year-old boyfriend in Clarkstown, Ind. and police were called several times for domestic disputes involving the men in October of last year.