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Atmore Veteran Arrested After Police Find Homemade Explosive Devices In His Home
October 16, 2024
An Atmore veteran was arrested Tuesday after police say they found two homemade explosive devices at his home after he made allegedly concerning statements.
On Monday, the Atmore Police Department responded to a call from a citizen on Pleasant Hill Circle seeking to speak with officers. The officers met with Trenton Lofton, 34, of Atmore, who was visibly upset over personal issues. Although officers initially calmed Lofton, his statements raised concerns, prompting a follow-up investigation.
Tuesday, officers discovered that Lofton, a former military Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician, may have constructed two homemade explosive devices. Lofton, who police said has been receiving treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), became the subject of a more thorough investigation.
Atmore Police Department obtained a search warrant for Lofton’s home. They contacted the Mobile Police Department Bomb Squad, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) SWAT team to assist.
Before they arrived at his home, investigators learned Lofton was at Walmart on North Main Street. A traffic stop was initiated as Lofton was leaving the store, and he was taken into custody without incident. The area around Walmart’s entrance and Highway 21 was shut down while an ATF bomb technician cleared Lofton’s vehicle. No explosives were found.
Attention then shifted to Lofton’s residence. The Mobile Police Department Bomb Squad and ATF carefully searched the property and discovered two homemade explosive devices, which were safely neutralized, according to police.
Lofton was arrested and charged with possession and distribution of destructive devices. He was transported to the Escambia County Detention Center.
“The Atmore Police Department recognizes that Mr. Lofton served our country and is suffering from PTSD. Our hope is that he receives the mental health care he needs,” Atmore Police Sgt. Darrell McMann said.
Comments
6 Responses to “Atmore Veteran Arrested After Police Find Homemade Explosive Devices In His Home”
And throw away the key! Stop making excuses for him. He knows right from wrong.
As a person who also served, it kills me thinking that this brother didn’t have the support he needed to avoid this. When you’re in, you’re surrounded by people who either went through it with you or has went through it before you. Sometimes it’s enough to just be surrounded by those who understand, and it’s easier to talk about the things you carry with people who understands the weight of it all. When you’re out and you’re surrounded by civilians, it’s extremely difficult to even break the ice about what’s eating you alive, because they don’t understand. At that point it’s just empathy and that’s the last thing we want is for someone to feel bad for us. I feel like what veterans want/need is to just be around people who understand – then talk about it when it feels right. This brother doesn’t need a carpeted office with a couch that has throw pillows and positive posters with uplifting statements, he needs to be around his people.
Lofton, I hope you find what helps you carry that weight.
I know him on a personal level.. I fear drugs have played a very large part in this unfortunately … praying for his boys and for his poor dad who had his property searched like that. I hope he finds recovery.
Gonna see more and more! Poor guy been hung out to dry like the rest of us veterans. Entitled civilians running the show on borrowed time!!!
@Concerned,
You do understand that this is exceptionally common in our veterans, right??? They see and experience so much (hence PTSD), and then they receive pathetic healthcare and mental healthcare, so they’re just thrown out in the cold to “figure it out” on their own.
Give me a break,he is trained by the military.
Seriously..