BY ANNIE HOLLER
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PAINTSVILLE — A domestic violence call near Paintsville escalated into a potentially deadly search Sept. 3 when police discovered suspected homemade explosive devices and fishing line rigged with treble hooks at eye level on a hillside behind the residence.
Robert Thomas Smith, 47, of West Van Lear, was later arrested following a confrontation with law enforcement and lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center on numerous charges.
Paintsville Public Safety Director Darrell Preston told the Mountain Citizen the incident began when Sgt. Jackson, patrolling near the Cross Creek subdivision on Kentucky Route 40 West, heard a woman screaming for help.
“A female in the Cross Creek subdivision was heard screaming for help by an officer patrolling the area, and the screams continued as he exited the cruiser,” Preston said.
Jackson found two injured women who required medical attention, according to Paintsville Police.
Preston said Smith, identified as the husband of one of the women, was standing over her when officers arrived. Smith allegedly raised a hand holding what appeared to be a homemade explosive device fashioned from a bottle containing liquid and wires.
Preston described it as a 20-ounce soda bottle containing unknown liquids with wires protruding from the top, possibly connected to a battery detonator.
Smith allegedly attempted to ignite the bottle with a lighter, but his wife blew out the flame before it caught fire, Preston said. Smith then released the woman and fled up the hillside behind the residence.
Officers Collins, Duncan and Meade arrived to help secure the scene and search for Smith.
As officers entered the hillside, they encountered another danger: fishing line strung around eye level with treble hooks attached.
“The officers took off after the suspect and while pursuing him, came upon an outbuilding and realized there were several booby traps rigged up on the hillside that included fishing hooks and lines that were strung at eye level,” Preston said.
He said the traps could have seriously injured an officer who ran into them before spotting the line.
The FBI bomb squad responded and searched the area, removing or disabling additional devices, according to Preston.
Investigators also discovered two bottles containing gasoline, he said. One contained a mortar and fuse, while the other was sent to an FBI laboratory in Louisville for analysis.
Johnson County Sheriff’s Deputy Stanley later located Smith walking along Stafford Cemetery Road near the scene, according to Paintsville Police.
Police said Smith struck Stanley as the deputy attempted to stop him, leading to a physical confrontation. Officer Collins arrived and helped take Smith into custody.
Preston said Smith yelled and cursed at officers, gave a false name and refused commands. He also allegedly made threats toward law enforcement and medical personnel after his arrest.
Smith was taken to Paintsville ARH for medical clearance before being lodged in the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center.
Two female family members suffered injuries in the alleged attacks, Preston said. One was seriously injured while the other suffered minor injuries.
Smith faces charges including possession of a destructive device or booby trap device; third-degree use of a weapon of mass destruction; fleeing or evading police; third-degree assault of a police officer; menacing; third-degree terroristic threatening; providing false identifying information to an officer; resisting arrest; second-degree domestic violence assault; fourth-degree domestic violence assault; wanton endangerment; and persistent felony offender.
Authorities also served Smith with a Tennessee parole warrant.
Preston said evidence collected by the FBI is expected to be forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review for possible federal charges.
“This is the first time in my career that I’ve been involved in something of this magnitude, in regards to the explosives,” Preston said. “It’s not every day you come across devices with gasoline, diesel fuel and blasting caps.”
Preston credited the officers with recognizing the danger before the traps injured anyone.
“Any time that an officer is dispatched to a domestic disturbance call, you never know what to expect, but this situation took that concern to a whole new level,” he said.
Paintsville Police also credited the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department, Paintsville E-911, FBI, Johnson County Emergency Management, Kentucky State Police, Paintsville EMS, Johnson County Constable District 2 and Oil Springs Fire Department with assisting at the scene.