Moldova dot Org : Suspect: Chemicals were for learning

Suspect: Chemicals were for learning

December 19, 2007

A Colorado man who pleaded not guilty to possessing weapons and chemicals claims he had the items being he's a nerd trying to create rocket fuel.

Ronald Swerlein of Longmont pleaded not guilty to 10 felonies stemming from the ammunition and more than 400 chemicals found in his home during a June raid, the Daily Camera in Boulder reported Wednesday. Among the chemicals was a half-pound of the main ingredient found in dynamite.

Police were led to Swerlein's house after multiple complaints were lodged over an 18-month period regarding explosions, fireworks or shots heard in the neighborhood. The suspect told police he is a nerd teaching himself about rocket fuel, police records said.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International