The U.S. attorney’s office announced on Thursday that Milton Ohlsen III has been charged in five counts for the 2008 bombing in the Carondelet Plaza garage that injured Clayton attorney John L. Gillis.
Ohlsen was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on one felony count each of transportation of explosives with intent to injure; malicious use of an explosive devise; use of destructive device to commit a crime of violence; felon in possession of an explosive and possession of an unregistered destructive device.
The indictment was unsealed July 7 when Olsen briefly appeared in federal district court to have his formal arraignment scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, July 11, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Nannette Baker. The five charges carry punishments as high as life in prison.
“This indictment is a testament to the tenacity of the St. Louis law enforcement community,” stated Michael P. Gleysteen, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms special agent in charge.
The case was investigated by ATF, the St. Louis County and Clayton police departments and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team. Prosecutors from both the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the almost three-year-long investigation.
U.S. Attorney Richard Callahan and Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch had nothing but praise for the seamless manner in which the agencies worked, sharing information and following up on every new lead, according to a news release.
Callahan declined to comment on what evidence finally enabled prosecutors to file the charges and why charges were filed in federal court rather than state court other than to say it was a joint decision made together with McCulloch.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Costantin, who was formerly with the St. Louis County prosecutor’s office, will be prosecuting the case.
