Christopher Arthur, a North Carolina man, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for teaching someone how to make bombs meant to kill federal law enforcement officers. He was found guilty of bomb-related charges and illegally possessing weapons, including improvised explosives found on his farm in Mount Olive, North Carolina. Arthur, a military veteran who founded Tackleberry Solutions, a company focused on teaching wartime tactics through manuals and videos, also included instructions for creating fatal funnels meant to kill responding law enforcement with booby traps in his materials.
The FBI initially took notice of Arthur in 2020 when his manuals were found in the possession of Joshua Blessed, who had attacked law enforcement officers in New York. Blessed, a truck driver, died after leading officers on a high-speed chase and gun battle. Arthur was arrested in 2022 after providing bomb-making instructions to a confidential source, known as “Buckshot.” Buckshot had contacted Arthur seeking help in preparing for the expected return of ATF agents to his house, claiming they had confiscated weapons. Arthur maintained during trial that his materials were not intended to be used for attacks on law enforcement or the government, but rather to prepare people for violent chaos he believed was ahead.
In a statement before his sentencing, Arthur warned of impending violence in the country and advised people to prepare to defend themselves and their families by buying food storage. Despite defense objections, federal prosecutors charged Arthur with domestic terrorism enhancements related to the bomb-making instructions, which the judge upheld. Arthur’s federal public defender, Ed Gray, characterized him as a deeply religious man who sought to protect his family from what he perceived as an imminent apocalypse. Gray emphasized that Arthur was not a terrorist like Timothy McVeigh, but a veteran struggling with the aftermath of serving two tours in Iraq.
U.S. District Judge James C. Dever III took into account Arthur’s military service and former law enforcement background before imposing the 25-year sentence. He acknowledged the seriousness of the charges and the impact on the families of those Arthur was accused of targeting. The judge expressed sadness over the situation, recognizing the prayers of families of law enforcement officers who fear for their loved ones’ safety daily. Gray indicated that Arthur was open to therapy to address underlying issues stemming from his military service. Despite his past service, Arthur’s actions were deemed serious and deserving of a lengthy prison sentence.
Arthur’s case highlights the dangers posed by individuals teaching bomb-making techniques with potentially lethal consequences for law enforcement and others. The trial revealed Arthur’s belief in an impending chaotic and violent future, leading him to prepare individuals for self-defense using his manuals and training sessions. The judge’s decision to uphold domestic terrorism enhancements underscores the severity of Arthur’s actions and the need to prevent such individuals from inciting violence and endangering law enforcement officers and the public. Arthur’s sentence serves as a reminder of the legal ramifications of engaging in activities that pose a threat to public safety and national security.
