WILLMAR, Minn. - A Willmar man has been indicted on 18 federal counts including possession of machine guns and explosive devices, after county prosecutors say he made threats about using explosives on a judge and two attorneys.
The federal indictment accuses 46-year-old Chad Monson of possessing 10 machine guns in violation of U.S. law, two of which had removed serial numbers. The indictment also states that Monson possessed three pipe bombs and three silencers.
The indictment stems from raids conducted on Monson's properties earlier this year.
Prior to both raids, the complaint states that Monson told someone that he had located the residence of a judge, a prosecutor and another attorney and planned to "plant" explosives in or near their vehicles or homes.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Kandiyohi County, investigators first executed a search warrant at Monson's Willmar residence on Jan. 30, 2018. They found a "concrete 'bunker' style room in the basement" with 15 guns, over 10,000 rounds of ammunition, silencers, and parts of submachine guns.
Twenty-nine more guns were found throughout the house and property, along with methamphetamines, cocaine and marijuana. Investigators also found several items believed to be explosive devices.
Several of the guns were found in another man's bedroom.
Then on Feb. 21, a search warrant was executed at a second Willmar property about a mile away, in a large shed Monson used for his excavating business, according to another Kandiyohi County complaint.
The complaint states that authorities found nine machine guns, two short-barreled shotguns, two pipe bombs, suppressors, and materials and detonators for making explosive devices.
At the time of both raids, Monson was on probation for a fifth-degree controlled substance crime and was prohibited from possessing mood-altering substances. As of the second raid, he was not allowed to have firearms or explosives due to other gun and drug charges.
Amy Monson, Chad Monson's sister, is also facing a felony charge of tampering with a witness. The Kandiyohi County criminal complaint states that she messaged Chad Monson's co-defendant saying, "I know what u did and u will pay for it.. watch ur back."
The complaint states that when questioned by a detective, Amy Monson said that the recipient of the message should be "more afraid" of Chad Monson than of her.
Chad Monson is scheduled to appear in Kandiyohi County court on June 15.
