It takes just a few minutes to drive south of Ann Arbor to Milan, a small town with about 5,000 residents on the southern edge of Washtenaw County. A 31-year-old man there was recently charged with wire fraud in what law enforcement officials are describing as an elaborate internet fraud scheme.
Federal law enforcement officers raided the Milan man’s home and reported finding 11 improvised explosive devices known as IEDs, a pair of loaded assault-style rifles, two pipe bombs and more than $50,000 in cash, among other items.
Officers also said they found illegal drugs in the home, including fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamine, amphetamines and empty pill capsules.
Law enforcement officials believe the Milan man used stolen credit card information to purchase Amtrak tickets. They say he would then cancel the tickets and receive a voucher to be used for future travel. He then allegedly sold the vouchers online at a discount.
According to the news report, the man has not been charged regarding the weapons he allegedly possessed or the drugs that were found in his home. He waived a bond hearing and is in federal custody.
Officials spoke with members of the man’s family, who apparently indicated that they had found cash and what they believed to be explosive devices stashed around his grandmother’s home. A search of her house resulted in law enforcement finding another half-dozen IEDs and approximately $60,000 more in cash.
Those facing fraud charges or drug-related allegations should decline to speak to investigators until they have spoken with an Ann Arbor attorney experienced in criminal defense.
