Charges: Self-described 'sovereign citizen' had explosives in car, says it's for 'hobby'
Oak Park Heights police arrested a 46-year-old man on Saturday after a routine traffic stop led officers to discover potential explosives used for his "rocket hobby."
Self-described "sovereign citizen" Wayne Lund was arrested and charged with four criminal charges, including possessing firearms and explosives, 5th-degree drug possession, and driving an uninsured car.
The sovereign citizen movement is a group of anti-government "activists" who believe they are exempt from government laws and regulations.
According to the charges, an Oak Park Heights Officer was on routine patrol on Highway 36 in Washington County when he noticed a car whose registered owner's driving state was revoked, and the registration expired in August 2023.
During a stop, the driver was identified as Lund. Because he could not provide a valid driver's license or proof of insurance, Lund gave them a United States passport card.
When police discovered that he had been driving uninsured for the past ten years, he was arrested. While his car was being towed, an inventory search of the vehicle allegedly produced what looked to be an explosive apparatus.
His car was towed to a Stillwater impound lot where photos of the devices were taken; the first device was nine small CO2 canisters with wicks attached to them by tape. The second was a white PVC pipe approximately 8 inches in length, with caps screwed on both ends.
According to the complaint, Lund told police that he uses the devices for rockets, which he launches into the air.
Search warrants were obtained for Lund's vehicle and hotel room in Stillwater, where they found ammunition, methamphetamine, weapons, electronics, jumper cables, and military clothing. Inside the room, there was also a 3-ring binder with a front page titled "List of Pyro Chemicals and Terms."
Lund, who was convicted of threats of violence in 2014, is currently in custody, and his bail is set at $25,000 with conditions and $100,00o without. His next court date is Nov. 25 at 1:30 p.m.
