A federal jury has determined that Joshua W. Stearman unlawfully possessed incendiary bombs and falsely impersonated a federal officer. Stearman, a 42-year-old resident of Anderson, Indiana, was found guilty on charges related to carrying Molotov cocktails and claiming an identity affiliated with the Department of Homeland Security.
Court documents reveal that the incident occurred on December 12, 2023. Around 1:47 a.m., an officer in Ingalls, Indiana, responded to a property subjected to previous vandalism acts, including fires set in the driveway and mailbox. Police received reports of a suspicious man heading towards the property with an object, who fled to his red Toyota RAV4 when the security lights activated.
The officer stopped the vehicle and encountered Stearman, who showed an ID card and purported government identification featuring an official seal. Stearman stated he was a Homeland Security Officer "returning from a mission" and wore black gloves with duct tape on his wrists.
After Stearman was placed in custody, a vehicle search uncovered four bottles filled with gasoline and a lighter. Each bottle had a fabric sticking out, akin to incendiary bombs known as Molotov cocktails. ATF experts confirmed the bottles contained gasoline intended for use as incendiary devices, which are illegal under federal law.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF, Ingalls Police Department, Lapel Police Department, and the Department of Homeland Security. Chief U.S. District Judge Tanya Walton Pratt led the trial, with sentencing scheduled for a future date.
Acting U.S. Attorney John E. Childress acknowledged Assistant U.S. Attorney Jayson W. McGrath and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Nate Walter for handling the case.