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CRIME
FBI: Albuquerque man allegedly kept live grenades at home
Federal agents say an Albuquerque man who repeatedly drew police attention is now charged after officers discovered two functional hand grenades in his living room
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A man was arrested for allegedly having hand grenades inside his home in Northwest Albuquerque, federal authorities said.
Jeff Bramlett, 46, is charged with possessing a firearm and making a firearm. He was arrested on Jan. 13.
FBI agents were dispatched on Dec. 31 after the Albuquerque Police Department called and said officers found hand grenades inside Bramlett's home, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.
Bramlett had called 911 to request a paramedic come to his house because he was intoxicated and needed help, the complaint states. Police arrived and found two hand grenades without safety clips in Bramlett's living room and transported the grenades to an APD facility.
"Both grenades showed signs of having half-inch holes at the bottom of the body filled, welded, ground and painted," according to the complaint. "This modification indicated the grenades were novelty grenade bodies which were modified to become functional containers for explosives."
Agents secured and disassembled the two grenades and found that they were both fully functional, the complaint states. Later, FBI agents learned that it was not the first time law enforcement had been to Bramlett's home.
On Nov. 21, FBI agents were sent to Bramlett's house after code enforcement officers notified them that explosive hazards, including black power and aluminum powder, were at the man's home, according to the complaint.
In 2023, FBI agents were dispatched to Bramlett's home after receiving a call that multiple gunshots were heard inside his residence, the complaint states.
"We have extensive history at the location with callers reported (Bramlett) shooting guns in his house and even blowing things up in the street," states an APD report. "On a previous call, it was reported that (Bramlett) placed bottles of an unknown substance in the street and blew them up."
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
