HAGÅTÑA (The Guam Daily Post) — Unsealed records in the federal court revealed a man distributed makeshift fireworks in 2021.
Last week in the District Court of Guam, Joseph Anthony Blas’ case was unsealed and made available to the public.
The federal records show Blas was charged in January 2023 for allegedly distributing makeshift fireworks in 2021. Records also showed Blas pleaded guilty to distributing explosive materials in January 2023.
According to Blas’ plea agreement filed in January 2023, Guam Police Department officers attempted to pull over a blue Mitsubishi Lancer on Dec. 21, 2021, when the car sped off and crashed into a building in Dededo, and the driver fled the scene.
Officers, however, searched the car and found an explosive device in the front passenger seat, among other things, including a hobby fuse, a sample of explosive filler and a container comprised of glass, plastic and wrapped with electrical tape, the plea agreement stated.
GPD was then able to determine who the driver was before the FBI interviewed Blas on Jan. 26, 2022. During the interview, Blas said he knew the driver and “that he made fireworks/noisemakers” for the driver in the past. Blas also acknowledged the explosive device found in the car was one that Blas built.
“Blas said it was made from a glass saltshaker, tape and explosive powder from other fireworks,” court documents state.
Blas further stated that sometime in December 2021, Blas, the driver and other individuals had extra fireworks, took them apart and built two similar devices “because they wanted large noisemakers for New Year celebrations,” the plea agreement stated.
Blas also said he did not have training or background in making the devices, that he set one off on New Year’s Eve and that he gave one of the devices to the driver.
“Blas said he never built the devices with the intention of harming anyone or property. It is something that he has done regularly in the past and was only intended for New Year’s Eve celebrations. Blas further acknowledged that the activity is dangerous and probably illegal according to Guam laws,” court documents stated.
Blas has yet to be sentenced but faces a maximum of 10 years in federal prison. He is currently scheduled to be sentenced May 16.
The District Court of Guam on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024, in Hagåtña.
