Cumberland County Man Receives Two-Year Sentence for Possession of Explosive Devices

U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler imposed sentence in Camden federal court, citing possession of destructive device and unlawful storage of explosives

Vineland, NJ — A 64-year-old Cumberland County man, Thomas Petronglo, was sentenced to 24 months in prison today for the possession of a destructive device and explosive materials. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Robert B. Kugler in Camden federal court.

Thomas Petronglo had previously pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with one count of possession of a destructive device and one count of unlawful storage of explosives. The indictment followed a search on March 12, 2021, when Petronglo was found in possession of a 5 ¾-inch diameter metal can filled with a mixture of potassium perchlorate and aluminum, along with a fuse sticking out. He also had multiple intact improvised explosive devices and other explosive materials at his residence.

Besides the 24-month prison term, Judge Kugler has also sentenced Petronglo to three years of supervised release after his prison term ends.

The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger, who credited the special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Newark Field Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller, for the investigation. Other agencies assisting with the investigation included the Vineland Police Department, the Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office, and the N.J. State Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Bender and Joseph McFarlane of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Camden represented the government in the case.

Though the incident occurred in Cumberland County, residents in Morristown and across New Jersey are reminded of the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to ensure public safety. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and reporting suspicious activities to authorities.