Fayette man facing federal charges for homemade grenades

A Fayette County man is facing federal charges for homemade grenades found in his vehicle during a traffic stop and later in his home.

Nathanael Varney, 24, of McClellandtown said he had exploded similar devices for fun and was keeping others to defend himself, according to police.

State police stopped Varney in August for have a broken license plate light, according to a criminal complaint. During the stop, a trooper found a compressed gas cartridge with a fuse coming from it. Varney allegedly told police the cartridge was filled with gun powder, according to the complaint.

State police secured the scene and removed that cartridge and another from the vehicle, according to the complaint. Varney allegedly admitted to making the devices — calling them grenades — and said he had two more at his house, police said.

Police searched his house and found the two devices and two 1-pound tin cans filled with gun powder, according to the complaint. A coil of fuse cord was also found.

Varney was initially faced state charges. Those were withdrawn, and the case went before a federal grand jury, which indicted Varney on Oct. 15. Charges against him were unsealed this week.