Cuyahoga Falls Pipe Bomb Suspect Hit With More Felony Counts, Charges

The case against pipe bomb suspect David A. Dougherty only seems to be getting stronger as Cuyahoga Falls Police hit him with additional felony counts and charges this week.

Dougherty, 41, of Cuyahoga Falls, now faces two counts of possession of criminal tools, trafficking in drugs, weapons while under disability and three counts of possession of dangerous ordnance (explosives), according to stowmunicourt.com.

He is also charged with illegal manufacturing of drugs, a fourth-degree misdemeanor; after police found a suspected marijuana grow operation in his residence.

On Tuesday, Dougherty pled not guilty to the marijuana charge during an arraignment at Stow Municipal Court.

Regarding the felonies, Dougherty will be prosecuted either in Summit County Common Pleas Court; or, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the U.S. Attorney’s Office may step in and prosecute, according to Falls Police Chief Tom Pozza.

If the latter occurs, Dougherty’s charges would be dismissed and federal charges -- which typically carry harsher penalties and sentences -- would be brought against him in Akron’s John F. Seiberling Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, said Pozza.

Due to the ongoing investigation, Pozza wouldn't comment on whether Dougherty had confessed to making the bombs or how he intended to use them. 

Pipe bombs found

On Oct. 20 at 2:30 p.m., Cuyahoga Falls Fire and EMS requested backup when Dougherty resisted paramedics that had entered his home to treat him for a medical emergency.

As Cuyahoga Falls Police arrived, paramedics said they had found what appeared to be pipe bombs in Dougherty’s home, located at 1116 Washington Avenue, according to Falls Police Lt. Steve Guldeman.

Summit County sheriffs, the Summit County Bomb Squad and ATF agents responded to the scene and cordoned off the area. 

Once the bomb squad removed the makeshift explosives, “(Cuyahoga Falls) patrol officers and detectives executed a search warrant at the residence. (They) collected evidence, which included chemicals, and a small marijuana grow operation,” said Guldeman.

Dougherty was taken to an area hospital, treated and released into police custody.

He’s being held in Summit County Jail on a $500,000 cash bond.