Federal authorities have indicted a New York man after thwarting his planned attack to detonate multiple bombs across New York City.
Michael Gann, 55, of Inwood, was charged Tuesday with manufacturing at least seven improvised explosive devices (IEDs) using chemicals he bought online, according to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton.
“The safety of New Yorkers is paramount,” said Clayton.
“As alleged, Michael Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo, and threw one onto the subway tracks—putting countless lives at risk. Thanks to swift work by our law enforcement partners, no one was harmed. That vigilance assuredly prevented a tragedy in New York,” Clayton said in a statement.
According to investigators, Gann constructed the IEDs with chemicals, wires, and other materials he ordered on the internet beginning in May 2025. He was planning to combine shotgun shells with the explosive devices, the indictment said. One of the devices contained 600 times the legal limit for explosive powder in fireworks.
Sometime in May or June, Gann searched on the internet: “will i pass a background check,” “clorine bomb,” “black powder nearby,” “½ stick dynamite,” and other similar queries.
On March 26, 2025, an X account identified as belonging to Gann posted: “Dear @POTUS, I’m thinking just now here in NYC that it’s too bad that the wall wasn’t built before the National Guard would have to come here for Protests and Riotation or would you just drop a bomb on this place while because they seem to be coming and coming?”
The investigation was led by the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force of the FBI, which included members of the New York Police Department, the ATF, and the Nassau County Police Department.
“Michael Gann allegedly produced multiple improvised explosive devices intended for use in Manhattan,” said FBI agent Christopher Raia. “Due to the successful partnership of law enforcement agencies in New York, Gann was swiftly brought to justice before he could harm innocent civilians shortly after his dangerous actions became known.”
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Gann is charged with:
- One count of attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, which carries a mandatory sentence of five years and a maximum 20 years.
- One count of transportation of explosive materials, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
- One count of unlawful possession of destructive devices, which carries a maximum 10-year sentence.
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