FBI arrests Warren County man accused of leaving explosive device at sports complex

A Warren County man is accused of leaving an improvised explosive device at an outdoor sports complex last fall in Lebanon.

James River Phillips, 20, of Mason was arrested Thursday by the FBI Cincinnati Field Office’s Joint Terrorism Task Force on federal charges, the FBI said in a release.

The FBI said that they believe Phillips put the explosive device at the complex on Sept. 22, 2024, before it was found by a patrol officer for the Lebanon Division of Police. The IED was collected by the Butler County Bomb Squad to be tested.

In addition, court documents said that the task force connected Phillips to other incidents where he allegedly had and detonated explosives.

The task force also conducted “court-authorized law enforcement activity” at locations in Oxford, Liberty Twp. and Mason.

Read more: Dayton Daily News