PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida man has been sentenced to 20 years in state prison after a pipe bomb exploded during a traffic stop, injuring a Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputy and leading investigators to uncover a large quantity of methamphetamine and other weapons.
Charles Legault was sentenced Friday, July 17, after entering no contest pleas in May to multiple felony charges, including making or possessing a destructive device resulting in bodily harm or property damage, carrying a concealed firearm during the commission of a felony, armed trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The charges stem from an April 5, 2024, traffic stop on Mosley Avenue in Putnam County.
According to prosecutors, a Putnam County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Legault’s truck and received consent to search the vehicle.
While conducting the search, the deputy encountered a PVC pipe bomb containing chlorine and brake fluid that exploded, covering the deputy with chemicals.
Authorities said the deputy suffered respiratory distress from the exposure and was transported to a hospital for treatment.
The investigation determined that Legault had intentionally assembled the destructive device.
Investigators also recovered a suppressor, loaded magazines, ammunition and a trafficking quantity of methamphetamine from the vehicle.
The case was investigated by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Palatka Police Department, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, St. Johns County Fire Rescue, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office and Putnam County Fire Rescue.
Managing Assistant State Attorney Mark Lewis and Assistant State Attorney Sam Frazer prosecuted the case. Circuit Judge Alicia Washington imposed the 20-year prison sentence.
Because Legault entered no contest pleas and has now been sentenced, the case has been adjudicated.