Raided Ammunition Firm Lacked Proper Permits, Police Say

A Northridge ammunition business was raided because it was selling illegal explosive devices and operating without the proper permits, Los Angeles police said Monday.

Detective John Leone said investigators are still examining nine tons of material confiscated during the Friday raid at Spectrum West International to determine what charges will be sought against company president Jessica Milberger, 51, and her ex-husband, Wyant John Lamont, 56, who helped run the business.

Milberger and Lamont, both of Van Nuys, were arrested under a section of the California Penal Code that outlaws reckless or malicious possession of explosives near public areas. They were being held in Van Nuys Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail.

Business Moved Last Year

Their attorney, Leo Grizzaffi, conceded Monday that the company might not have had all the permits and licenses required by government agencies to sell explosive devices and store large quantities of gunpowder. The problem stemmed from a move of the business last year from another San Fernando Valley location, where the company did have the proper permits, he said.

But Grizzaffi said police made “a very serious error” in raiding the business, situated in a small industrial park in the 18600 block of Parthenia Street.

Grizzaffi said Milberger and Lamont have operated the ammunition business in the Valley for about 30 years, serving as wholesale distributors of explosive materials. Their primary clients have been law-enforcement agencies and movie studios, he said.

“It’s possible that there was a violation of some licenses, but the police are treating my clients like they’re terrorist bombers,” Grizzaffi said. “I think the police very soon are going to find out they don’t have the kind of case they think they do.”

Leone would not identify any of the material or its storage site. But he said that many illegal explosive devices were being sold at the business.

Grizzaffi said most of the confiscated material is gunpowder and components used to load cartridges. He said the Los Angeles Fire Department performed a routine safety inspection of the company’s office and small warehouse about two months ago and did not cite the business for any violations.

Police would not confirm that there was an inspection, and fire officials could not be reached for comment.