A 30-year-old man accused of setting off an improvised explosive device near Colonial Williamsburg on Thursday was a Colonial Williamsburg employee, court records state.
Stephen Powers of Gloucester, Va., was arrested at his home Friday by the Williamsburg Police Department and was charged with possession and use of an explosive device and committing an act of terrorism, according to a Williamsburg Police Department press release.
Powers was denied bond after an arraignment in Williamsburg-James City County General District Court Monday.
“I’ve been out of work for a week and a half,” he told a judge during the arraignment.
Colonial Williamsburg has stated it cannot comment on the case due to the ongoing police investigation.
“Given the ongoing investigation of the incident, Colonial Williamsburg declines to comment at this time,” a spokesperson told WYDaily Monday.
Records filed in Williamsburg-James City County General District Court indicate Powers had worked in the maintenance department at Colonial Williamsburg for over two years. Records also stated he was married with a 1-year-old child and his job with Colonial Williamsburg was his only “financial resources.”
Around 5 p.m. Thursday, Williamsburg Police and fire units were called to a parking lot located at the intersection of South Boundary and Francis streets for a report of a vehicle fire. When units arrived, they found a fire near a vehicle in the center of the lot, but the vehicle itself was not on fire or damaged, police department spokesman Maj. Greg Riley said.
Instead, police found evidence of an improvised explosive device that had been detonated inside the lot, Riley said.
Powers is scheduled to appear at the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court on Dec. 7 at 9:30 a.m.
Steve Roberts, Jr. contributed reporting. He may be reached at steve@localvoicemedia.com.
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