Trooper T.J. Williams charged Michael Jack Higgs, 45 of Grant Pass, Ore., with felony use of weapon of mass destruction and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. He was also charged with possession of marijuana (misdemeanor), possession of drug paraphernalia, failure of owner to maintain insurance and operating on a suspended operator’s license, all misdemeanors.
The charges stem from a traffic stop conducted at approximately 9:30 a.m. in which troopers discovered a homemade improvised explosive device (IED) inside the vehicle. The interstate was shut down while KSP examined the IED. The device was rendered safe by KSP personnel ,and no other explosives devices were found in the vehicle.
The interstate was opened back up after the vehicle was cleared. Trooper Williams is continuing his investigation. Higgs was lodged in Caldwell County Jail. A passenger in the vehicle is not facing any charges.
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ORIGINAL POST
A possible explosive device in a vehicle has shut down Interstate 24 in Lyon County.
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, both east- and westbound traffic on I-24 has been shut down between the 46- and 54-mile markers at the request of Kentucky State Police. KSP said they discovered a possible improvised explosive device inside a vehicle after a traffic stop. A bomb squad is on the scene.
The estimated duration is two hours.
KyTC has established a detour via Ky. 93 through southern Lyon County.
KSP has arrested one male and detained one female. KSP is being assisted on the scene by the Kentucky State Police Special Operations Branch, Hazardous Material Unit, Kentucky State Police Division of Commercial Motor Vehicles, Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. Paducah Bomb Squad, Eddyville Police Department, Eddyville Fire Department, Lyon County EMS and the KyTC.
