Man accused of building pipe bomb had materials to make more, court documents say

A man accused of possessing two explosive devices allegedly told a James City County assistant fire marshal he had an “assembled pipe bomb” in the trunk of his vehicle.

He also had materials to make more explosive devices, court documents show.

Adam Thomas Helms, 30, was arrested Friday after authorities found two “explosive devices” in his vehicle in the Mirror Lakes subdivision.

Assistant Fire Marshal Michelle Toutaint was called to the man’s home in the 200 block of Loch Haven Drive Friday to “check the welfare based on a conversation” Helms had with his Community Services Board case manager, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court.

Helms allegedly said he had an assembled pipe bomb in his vehicle, then invited Toutaint into his house where he showed items used to make “traditional” pipe bombs, including a fuse, metal pipe with end caps, sulfur and black power, according to the complaint.

Helms allegedly said he learned how to make pipe bombs on the internet.

Helms also told Toutaint he had an unloaded “muzzle load” firearm in the trunk of the vehicle, the complaint indicated.

Helms spent the weekend at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail after he was booked around 6:30 p.m. Friday.

Helms is charged with manufacturing, possessing or using fire bombs or explosive materials or devices.

Jail records also show Helms is charged with possession of a firearm by a person who has been previously involuntarily committed to a mental health facility.

Helms appeared in the Williamsburg-James City County General District Court Monday morning for arraignment, where Gordon Klugh was appointed as his attorney.

Klugh told WYDaily he didn’t get the chance to speak with Helms Monday morning after the arraignment because he “walked out of the room” where the video arraignment took place.

Helms’ mental health remains a question.

Helms was previously charged with possession of a firearm by a person who was involuntarily admitted to a facility on July 6, 2018.

A criminal complaint filed by James City County Police indicated authorities found Helms with a firearm June 22.

According to the complaint, Helms “admitted” he bought a muzzle-loading 50-caliber rifle online, even though he had previously been admitted to Riverside Behavioral Health.

He was found guilty of the offense Aug. 30 and ordered to pay $221 in court costs.

He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, all of which was suspended.