Man arrested with homemade bomb says he needed them for defense

A man who was arrested after officers discovered drugs and a homemade bomb in his bag late Tuesday night said he needed the explosive to defend himself against members of the MS-13 gang.

Police were called to the 5100 block of Highway 153 in Chattanooga and found Joshua Redden, 34, passed out on the sidewalk in front of Tennessee Title Pawn. An officer noticed he had a large knife in a belt holster and removed it without waking Redden.

Once other officers arrived, they woke Redden and got him to his feet before he told them he had a needle and another knife in his pocket.

Redden was placed in custody for public intoxication and possession of drug paraphernalia. Officers searched him and found baggies with a white powder residue, digital scales, and spoons, commonly associated with heroin use.

A black backpack was found next to a motorcycle Redden claimed was his. The backpack's two outer compartments held tools and wires and the inner compartment held a camouflage jacket wrapped around something heavy.

As an officer unwrapped the jacket, Redden allegedly started muttering about having to defend himself because of issues he had with MS-13, an international gang originating out of Los Angeles. Inside the jacket was a silver duct-tape ball with wires coming out of it, which Redden said was a homemade explosive device.

At that point, police officers left everything as it was and backed away. A perimeter was set up and a nearby pharmacy was evacuated and closed down until the Chattanooga bomb squad could respond.

Police also searched Redden's home in the 1100 block of Hotwater Road but did not find more materials for making explosive devices.

Redden has been charged with possession of explosive components, possession of a prohibited weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and public intoxication. His bond has been set at $114,000.

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