FeedsCanton teen faces terrorism threat charges
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Ian Michael DouglasAn-18-year-old Canton man is being charged with threats of terrorism after he allegedly tried to blow up a bridge in Canton Township.
Sgt. Rick Pomorski of the Canton Police Department said Ian Michael Douglas is facing a count of false report or threat of terrorism, one count of placing explosives near property, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of using a firearm in a felony. He faces 45 years in prison.
Two witnesses contacted Canton police, after they encountered Douglas near a railroad overpass near I-275 and Haggerty Road, Pomorski said. Douglas had a shotgun, he added. It was about 2 a.m., Pomorski said and the witnesses were on the bike path along the freeway to look at the graffiti there.
“The man approached the two individuals and pointed the shotgun at them, asking their identity,” he said.
They ended up joking around and “becoming friends,” Pomorski said. After about an hour, the witnesses saw Douglas ignite a pipe bomb on the ground near the overpass and said he talked about plans to derail a train, according to Pomorski. Then they went their separate ways.
“They realized what he was doing and what he had said and it had an effect on them. They thought it was something law enforcement needed to know about,” Pomorski said. “We have to give them praise for doing what was right.”
Police visited the sight and found evidence to corroborate their story, Pomorski said. Canton police recognized the suspect from the description the two witnesses gave. Douglas is someone that has had previous contact with the Canton Police Department, but for different types of issues.
From there, a number of police agencies got involved. The Wayne County Special Operations Team responded and secured Douglas’ home until the Michigan State Police bomb squad could arrive. Canton officers also worked with the CSX Railroad police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security.
Police recovered bomb-making materials—including pipes and powder used to make pipe bombs—when he was apprehended.
“It’s a dangerous situation,” Pomorski said. “(Making bombs) is hard enough for professionals, let alone a novice who has no idea what he’s working with.”
Douglas was arraigned Tuesday at the 35th District Court in Plymouth, where Magistrate Eric Colthurst ordered him held on a $500,000 cash bond. He is currently at the Wayne County Jail awaiting his preliminary examination, which is Aug. 8 at the 35th District Court.
“A whole lot of people came together on this,” Pomorski said. “There are a number of people still working on it.”
