Elderly Man Arrested for Dangerous Storage of Explosives in Utah

Explosives Found Near Diesel Tank

An 80-year-old resident of West Bountiful, Dwayne Raymond Hughes, has been taken into custody after authorities uncovered explosives, including dynamite, improperly stored near a large diesel fuel tank at his residence. Hughes is facing three serious charges:

• Possession of an explosive (second-degree felony)
• Unlawful possession of fireworks (Class B misdemeanor)
• Reckless endangerment (Class A misdemeanor)

According to court records, police were initially dispatched to Hughes' home on April 25 due to a domestic violence report involving him and his son. During the son's arrest, he informed the officers about the explosives present on the property. After taking the son into custody, an officer returned to the residence, where Hughes revealed a container of dynamite located dangerously close to a 2,500-gallon diesel tank. Additionally, law enforcement discovered an empty box marked with an explosives placard and fireworks scattered in the yard. Investigators noted that the dynamite was produced in the 1980s and had seemingly been kept on the premises for an extended period without the necessary permits or authorization.

On Monday morning, local authorities requested several nearby residents to evacuate while they safely handled the explosives. It remains unclear if the evacuation was directly linked to the findings at Hughes' home. Hughes is currently held at the Davis County Jail without bail, and the investigation is ongoing. Officials have not disclosed how long the explosives had been stored or if Hughes had any specific intentions regarding them. This alarming incident has sparked concerns within the typically quiet community of Davis County about the risks associated with the improper storage of hazardous materials in residential neighborhoods.