Man Pleads Guilty in Attempted Bombing of Chemical Facility

A man accused of planning the attempted bombing of a chemical storage facility, which heightened fears of terrorism during the Persian Gulf War, pleaded guilty to three charges Thursday in U.S. District Court.

Charles Edward Gresham Jr., 57, pleaded guilty to conspiracy, making an illegal bomb and attempting to bomb a facility used in interstate commerce. He faces up to 25 years in prison and a $750,000 fine when he is sentenced Sept. 4.

The discovery of pipe bombs at Allied Terminals, just 10 miles from Norfolk Naval Base, on Feb. 4 prompted the evacuation of thousands of nearby residents.

The bombs did not explode, but the incident raised concerns about terrorism until officials concluded that it was an attempt to collect on an insurance policy.

The plea agreement calls for Gresham to cooperate in the government’s continuing investigation of the case. Also charged are Joseph Wayne Openshaw, 36, and Cecil Howard Ross, 31, both of Arizona.

A tip from a Virginia Beach man the day the bombs were discovered led the FBI to Gresham. One day later, FBI agents searched Gresham’s Jaguar and a car rented under Gresham’s name and found traces of powder and M-80 firecrackers.

The traces of powder and the firecrackers were similar to components used in the two pipe bombs found attached to a tank of sodium hydrosulfide and a nearby tank of methanol, Assistant U.S. Atty. Robert Seidel said.