Minersville Man Sentenced For Manufacturing And Dealing Explosive Materials

Ryan Joseph Hribick, 34, of Minersville, Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 43 months in prison for possession of unregistered firearms, manufacturing and dealing explosive materials, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and witness tampering. Hribick made, possessed, and sold improvised explosive devices ("IEDs"), including PVC pipes – some containing nails, screws, and/or rocks – and cardboard tubes, all center primed with flash powder.

After federal agents searched his home, Hribick instructed and conspired with others to destroy and conceal cardboard tubes and flash powder – which Hribick was using to manufacture IEDs – so as to keep that evidence from federal agents and the federal grand jury. In addition, Hribick attempted to influence the testimony of a federal grand jury witness to lie about their destruction and concealment of evidence.

In addition to the 43 month prison term, United States District Judge Robert F. Kelly ordered three years of supervised release, a $2,500 fine, and a $400 special assessment.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Philadelphia Police Bomb Disposal Unit, the Montgomery County Bomb Squad, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, the East Whiteland Police Department, the East Whiteland Fire Department, the Malvern Fire Department, the Maryland State Police,  North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives . The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vineet Gauri.