Robert Francis Dumaran, a 47-year-old man from Kahului, Maui, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to illegally possessing explosive powders and an unregistered destructive device.
HONOLULU (KHON2) — Robert Francis Dumaran, a 47-year-old man from Kahului, Maui, pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday to illegally possessing explosive powders and an unregistered destructive device.
His sentencing is scheduled for February 2, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jill A. Otake.
Court documents reveal that Dumaran attempted to detonate a homemade firework at the intersection of Lono Avenue and Hina Avenue on Maui, either late on July 22 or early on July 23, 2024.
The firework contained black powder and flash powder.
As a convicted felon, Dumaran was prohibited from having explosives.
The Maui Police Department discovered and safely disposed of Dumaran’s homemade firework on the morning of July 23.
Following that, the FBI searched his residence and found an improvised hand grenade. Dumaran admitted that he crafted the grenade to use as a defensive weapon capable of causing harm.
Dumaran has not been charged in connection with improvised explosive devices found on August 7, 2024, in Kula, Maui, or an explosion that occurred in Pukalani on August 8, 2024.