By Moses Leos III.
Following the discovery and detonation of explosives at a property along FM 3237 in Wimberley on Jan. 15, officials from several law enforcement agencies are still investigating the circumstances behind the find.
Aiding the Hays County Fire Marshall’s Office’s (HCFM) investigation are the Hays County Sherriff’s Office (HCSO), Austin Police Bomb Squad, the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the U.S. Marshall’s Service.
The investigation is taking place at 303 Deer Lake Estates, which Hays County Central Appraisal District’s records show is owned by Edward Franklin Sones. According to Hays County Jail records, Sones has been in the county jail on a third-degree felony assault charge since August.
However, the explosives were located at an adjacent property.
No formal charges have been made against Sones regarding the explosives.
The ordeal began on Jan. 14, when a deputy from the third precinct of the Hays County Constable was serving papers to a home on Deer Lake Estates.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances behind the discovery of an explosive containing an unspecified amount of military-grade Composition-4 (C-4) at a property on Deer Lake Estates in Wimberley. The investigation is centered at the home of Edward Franklin Sones, though the explosives were discovered in a cave at an adjacent property. (Photos by Paula Pulley) |
According to Pct. 3 Constable Darrell Ayres, the person served informed the deputy of a possible hand grenade in the yard of his neighbor’s home, which is Sones’ property.
Upon discovering the grenade, the deputy called for backup from the HCSO and other Pct. 3 deputies. Per protocol, Austin Police Department’s Bomb Squad was dispatched. They determined the grenade was inert.
During this process, a woman, who Ayres said established residency at the home, arrived at the property. She gave written permission to law enforcement to search the property. It was not clear as of press time what relationship the woman has with Sones.
The woman then informed law enforcement that Sones had “hidden” items, possibly explosives, in a cave on an adjacent property.
After notifying that property owner, who assisted the investigation effort, Pct. 3 officers reached the cave at about 9 a.m.
Inside, authorities found a .50 caliber machine gun ammunition can. Ayres said a call was made to the Hays County Fire Marshall’s Office, which then called the APD bomb squad – the second time they were called to the area.
Ayres said the Pct. 3 constable’s office was in charge of opening and closing FM 3237 when the investigation warranted. As such, they informed the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church and School of those developments.
However, because they didn’t know what was inside the can, Ayres said they didn’t take steps to evacuate at that time.
“We didn’t know if it was an explosive,” Ayres said. “It could have been an ammo can with money (in it) as far as we knew.”
The APD Bomb Squad arrived at 2 p.m., and conducted their investigation, sending in a camera to conduct an X-ray of the can. Ayres said nearby homeowners were notified of the ongoing investigation, but were not asked to evacuate.
The bomb squad eventually determined there was an explosive device in the ammunition can. The device was destroyed around 7 p.m. The concussion was said to have blown out windows on adjacent homes.
It was later determined through a press release by the HCFM Office that the explosive contained an unspecified amount of military-grade Composition-4 (C-4) – an explosive not available to the public.
Pct. 3 officers spearheaded the evacuation and notification process. Nearby homeowners were told to leave their homes. Meanwhile, those at the St. Stephen’s Church were also informed of the situation.
According to Marsha Acock, head of school at St. Stephen’s Episcopal, constables arrived at the church at 5:15 p.m.
However, contrary to reports, Acock said the school was never on lockdown, or had a shelter-in-place order given, as school was not in session.
“[Constables] advised us of what was going to take place, in terms of the detonation,” Acock said. “They just told us an explosive device was found.”
Acock said she sent a letter to school parents regarding the situation. She also contacted Hays County Pct. 3 Commissioner Will Conley to address her concerns of notification.
Acock said Conley assured her that law enforcement followed proper procedures.
Ayres said the school was not in danger, but told people to stay indoors for precautionary measures.
The investigation now shifts to 303 Deer Lake Estates. According to a Hays County press release, the HCFM executed a search warrant on Jan. 17, “as part of a joint agency investigation.”
According to Fire Marshall Mark Chambers, evidence was recovered during the search. No details of what was found were as of press time.
Coming to light is the nature of Sones’ character. Some neighbors claim Sones threatened their pets, with one claiming he threatened them directly.
Several said he was a “menace” and “terrorizes the neighborhood.”
Authorities continue to investigate, trying to find how the C-4 was obtained, and for what purpose.
For Ayres, the discovery was key to ensuring the safety of the public-at-large.
“I’m glad they found it,” he said. “I’m sure it was meant for no good.”
With contributions from Paula Pulley.
