By Kristy Kepley-Steward

CHEROKEE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) -- A Murphy man has been arrested for possessing a weapon of mass destruction after police found blasting caps at his home.

On May 2, 2019, the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office arrested Owen Gregory Dean, 44, after information was provided to investigators with the sheriff’s office that Dean had blasting caps in his possession. Dean was also currently on probation in the state of North Carolina.

Investigators teamed with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI), North Carolina Department of Public Safety Adult Corrections, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and made a search of Dean’s residence. During the search a blasting cap was recovered which was secured and transported from the home by SBI Bomb Technicians.

Dean was arrested and taken to the Cherokee County Detention Center where he was placed under a $15,000.00 secure bond. Dean is currently detained in the Cherokee County Detention Center and is expected to be in District Court on May 09th, 2019

Sheriff Derrick Palmer stated “Again this had a huge potential for disaster. Explosives must always be properly handled and stored. We appreciate all the assistance of the SBI, ATF and DPS in helping us to bring this to a safe conclusion. We continue in this investigation and ask that anyone with information contact Detective JJ Wooten or Detective Tory Shivers at 828-837-2589 or utilize the tip line.”