A Bakersfield man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of illegal possession of explosives and ammunition, as well as manufacturing methamphetamine. The indictment was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez.
Matthew Henry Jacober, 43, is accused of possessing and improperly storing 50 pounds of dynamite and 25 rounds of shotgun shells at his residence in a remote area of Bakersfield. According to court documents, Jacober was also engaged in the process of manufacturing crystal methamphetamine at the same location. Jacober had previously been convicted in Kern County Superior Court for making a destructive device without a permit, which is a felony offense. As a result of this conviction, he was prohibited from possessing explosives and ammunition.
“This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kern County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, and the Kern County Fire Department,” according to the press release. “Assistant U.S. Attorney Karen Escobar is prosecuting the case.”
If Jacober is convicted on the drug manufacturing charge, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 40 years, along with a $5 million fine. For being a felon in possession of explosives or ammunition, he could face additional sentences—10 years for explosives and 15 years for ammunition—each carrying up to a $250,000 fine. Sentencing would be determined by the court after considering statutory factors and federal guidelines. The indictment notes that these are only allegations and that Jacober is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime through coordinated efforts involving multiple Department of Justice programs.
