Federal charges filed in pipe bomb, gun case

BISMARCK - Federal charges have replaced state charges against a Colorado man who is accused of having a cache of guns, two pipe bombs and ammunition in his possession at a recreational vehicle park near Watford City in January.
Upon confronting Dustin Michael Swartz, 29, on Jan. 26, law officers reported finding a .223 caliber rifle, a .22 caliber rifle, a .40 caliber pistol, approximately 950 rounds of ammunition, a bullet-resistant vest, a combat knife, boot spikes and two pipe bombs, according to information in a state complaint and federal indictment.
Since then, state charges against the Denver man have been replaced by those from the U.S. District Court for North Dakota in Bismarck. Federal charges against Swartz, which were unsealed Thursday, included federal felony possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon and possession of an explosive device.
According to the charges, McKenzie County Sheriff's Department Deputy Michael Mees was dispatched to the Prairie View RV Park near Watford City for a report of a man threatening maintenance workers. The man, Swartz, allegedly was openly carrying multiple firearms and loaded magazines, as well as a combat knife, said the indictment.
The park manager told Mees that Swartz had been acting strangely all day and her two maintenance employees had a hostile encounter with him earlier in the day and noticed a strong odor of alcohol.
Two other witnesses reported seeing Swartz driving his truck at a high rate of speed, nearly causing an accident several times, said the complaint.
After taking the report, deputies and officers of the Watford City Police Department searched for Swartz, finding him in his vehicle parked behind two Dumpsters with multiple items in plain view that are associated with survivalists, such as hiking packs, excess water, arrows in addition to weaponry, according to the complaint.
Swartz allegedly told officers that "the end of the world is here" and warned them to be careful with, and not to smoke around, the two pipe bombs.
Swartz appeared Thursday before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Hovland, where he pleaded not guilty and requested a public defender.
A trial has tentatively been set for May 12, and Swartz is scheduled to appear at a detention hearing on Monday. Hovland ordered Swartz to remain in custody until that time.