Man Faces Prison for Planting Bombs at Florida Casino

Article by : Erik Gibbs Nov 1, 2024

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Brian Eckley is facing up to 30 years in Florida state prison after authorities charged him with planting two remote-controlled bombs in the men’s bathrooms at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. The incident occurred on September 29 and continued into the early morning hours of September 30, when the devices were discovered.

The first device was found by an employee who immediately alerted security, leading to the evacuation of the casino. A second device was located later, resulting in a second evacuation. 

Both bombs were rendered safe by the bomb squad teams from the Seminole Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. A joint investigation was quickly launched, involving the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Seminole Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and FBI.

According to FDLE Special Agent Mark Brutnell, the initial stages of the investigation were challenging as there were no immediate leads. However, surveillance footage from earlier in the week helped investigators identify an individual behaving suspiciously on September 25. 

Authorities noticed that the man had arrived in a white Ford Explorer, which led them to track the vehicle’s former owner and identify Eckley as the new purchaser. Investigators discovered that Eckley had used an alias to buy the car and had also relied on a burner phone, paid for in cash, to conceal his identity.

Further linking Eckley to the case, it was revealed that he had been arrested on September 25 by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated assault with a firearm. Forensic evidence connected this earlier incident to the bomb threats at the casino. Surveillance video also showed Eckley disguising his walk and appearance, using masks and aliases to remain unidentified. He even went as far as changing his gait to avoid recognition on camera.

FDLE’s Brutnell emphasized the extent to which Eckley went to cover his tracks, noting that he “did everything he could to conceal his identity.” His efforts, however, were unsuccessful, as the investigative team was able to piece together his actions and movements. Brutnell commented on the potential danger of Eckley’s actions, noting that these actions could have caused significant harm if the devices had gone undetected.

Authorities arrested Eckley on October 30, exactly one month after the initial incident. He has been charged with two counts related to the manufacturing, possession, and placement of explosive devices. Eckley’s case remains under investigation, but his swift arrest is being seen as a significant step in addressing the threat he generated to public safety.