A Fort Pierce man charged last week with eight counts of possessing and attempting to make destructive devices admitted to modifying grenade-like devices found in his home, according to a newly released arrest affidavit from the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office. Keith Anthony Morrone, 57, allowed deputies to search his vehicle and his Balsam Drive residence after they served him with a temporary risk protection order Thursday.
Deputies found a green wooden case containing seven items that resembled military style hand grenades. Five of the items were deemed to be more consistent with flash bangs. While speaking with deputies, Morrone admitted to modifying the grenades, according to the affidavit. When asked if there was anything inside of the grenades, Morrone said I don't know, I don't think there's anything in there, the sheriff's office reported.
After Morrone and everyone else evacuated the residence, the sheriff's office bomb team was called in to handle the situation. The explosives were safely removed from the house.
A subsequent search of the home discovered one foot of cannon fuse connected to a small glass container containing black powder, creating a homemade destructive device. Based on the evidence, Morrone was charged with eight counts of making, possessing, throwing, projecting, placing, or discharging any destructive device or attempting to do so. He is being held at the St. Lucie County Jail.