A joint investigation by the Baxter County Sheriff's Office and the U. S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) was undertaken involving homemade explosive devices and explosive components at a residence on RD 1419 in Northern Baxter County.

     The investigation came about because of a complaint call of a possible overdose that the Sheriff's Office responded to on Saturday afternoon, July 11th.  Deputies were dispatched to 363 RD 1419, the residence of MICHAEL CODY EVERETT.  As Deputy Brian Williams was arriving on scene, he was met by two women in a white car who were waving at him franticly.  Deputy Williams made contact with the women.  One of them stated she had suffered burns on her hands and face from black powder that EVERETT had been messing with that had exploded.  She indicated she was heading to the hospital in Mountain Home, and that EVERETT was unresponsive on the living room floor of the residence from an overdose.

     Deputy Williams found EVERETT and, when checking for vitals, found that EVERETT was still breathing.  Emergency Medical Personnel then arrived and took over care of EVERETT.  He was subsequently transported to Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home for medical care.

     Deputy Williams made a cursory sweep of the residence to see if anyone else was there.  During this check, he observed drug paraphernalia in the residence, as well as three firearms, two of which were sawed-off shotguns, and each of which was loaded.  EVERETT is a convicted felon and thus prohibited from possessing firearms.

     A neighbor then approached the scene and informed Deputy Williams that three children had been at that residence but were now next door with the neighbor.  The children were 14, 10, and 5 years old.  They were safe and uninjured.

     Sheriff's Investigators were called out to the scene.  On the outside of the house, just beyond the steps, investigators observed a long metal tube with a missing end cap.  This was believed to be a homemade pipe bomb.  Based upon observations and information gathered by Deputy Williams, Investigators obtained a search warrant from a Circuit Judge for a full search of the property.  The search warrant was executed the same evening.  During the search, a black safe was located in the master bedroom adjacent to where the three weapons had been located.  Inside the safe there was a black leather wallet that contained EVERETT'S driver license, social security, card, and credit cards.  Also inside the safe was a digital scale, a metal hanging scale, seven pipes used to ingest controlled substance, four syringes, and multiple zip lock bags with residue inside.  There was also a zip lock bag that contained two chubs of Dyno Nobel Emulsion Explosive Material with an approximate weight of .74 pounds.  It also contained time fuses and a time fuse blasting cap. 

     In the living room a bottle of Pyrodex, which is a substitute for black powder, was located.  In the back of the house, another firearm was found as well as two more bottles of Pyrodex. 

     Outside the front door, Investigators recovered a pipe device that appeared to have some type of explosive material residue inside with the end cap off.  This object also had wires run through a long piece of pipe connecting the explosive portion of the device.  The ATF agent verified that it was a partially assembled device.

     Outside the house near the master bedroom window was observed a large hole in the side of the house.  Lying on the ground just below the hole was found what appeared to be an exploded pipe bomb and cap.

     All of these items were secured, seized, and taken into evidence. 

     Two days later, the female burn victim was interviewed at the Sheriff's Office, along with the oldest child.  The victim stated that although she is married to EVERETT she does not live with him at that residence.  She described having found gun powder on the floor of the residence and by the outside steps while she was over there.  While cleaning up the gun powder, she says the powder exploded and caused her burns.  She also gave information with respect to EVERETT'S making of pipe bombs and how he used them to blow up various appliances and other things around the property. 

     MICHAEL CODY EVERETT was later interviewed at the hospital by Sheriff's Investigators and the ATF Agent and gave a statement regarding the incident.  As of the time of this release he remains hospitalized.

     An explosives expert from the Bentonville Police Department also assisted with the investigation.

     Evidence and information from this incident are being reviewed with the Prosecuting Attorney.  Charges are pending against EVERETT in both the state and federal court systems. 

/s/ John F. Montgomery,
Baxter County Sheriff