LARGO, Fla. — Deputies arrested a man who they say carried a pipe-type explosive device near a political protest Thursday at the Pinellas County Courthouse.
But investigators say there was something that caused 22-year-old Garrett Smith to run away from the crowd with the reported device, drawing law enforcement's attention and leading to the discovery.
"He was running fast, he was running away from something," Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said during a news conference Friday. Investigators don't know what that is because the sheriff added, as of right now, "he's not talking."
The sheriff said authorities had been prepared for the planned lawful protest in support of Jeremy Brown, a former Florida candidate for Congress and man arrested on charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. A photo taken that day published by the news outlet Reuters indicated Brown was a self-described member of the Oath Keepers extremist group.
Brown is being held at the request of the federal government at the Pinellas County jail.
About 85 people were in attendance Thursday evening, holding up signs and delivering speeches that claim Brown is being held as a political prisoner, Gualtieri said. The event began around 5 p.m. and at about 7:30 p.m., deputies reported seeing Smith running across the parking lot east of 49th Street N..
He was eventually caught near 144th Avenue N.
The sheriff said Smith was dressed in all black with a covering on his face. Upon searching a backpack he was said to be carrying, deputies reportedly found a black helmet and the explosive device. Some of the logos on the helmet were seen in other protests across the country in the past year or two, the sheriff said, adding that Smith's family informed authorities that he had been in Portland, Oregon, and returned a few months ago.
A document that read "direct action checklist" also was in the backpack, laying out the clothing he was to wear, what sort of gear and armor to carry, the sheriff said.
The "gear is to be kept in a backpack and it includes a gas mask and filters, pepper spray, smoke rockets and flammable rags," said Gualtieri, reading the purported list. Deputies called the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office bomb squad and confirmed it was an explosive device. The sheriff said no other devices were found in the area.
Smith's Oldsmar, Florida, home was searched after a warrant was secured; and investigators located hand-grenade type explosives, nails for use in the grenades and duct tape, according to the sheriff.
Gualtieri said authorities consider Smith "one of the most concerning individuals" — a sleeper, as he put it — because he has no criminal history, no apparent online presence and there's no prior intelligence on him.
"Smith refused to give any information, he refused to talk to deputies, so we really have no idea as to what his political leanings are and whether he supported or opposed the protestors at the jail," said Gualtieri, adding that investors don't know what sort of plan he intended to carry out. The sheriff said Smith's family is assisting investigators.
"We're fortunate in this situation that something caused Smith to flee before he ignited the explosive device and that deputies were able to apprehend him," Gualtieri said.
Online jail records show Smith is being held on a $300,250 bond for charges including making/possessing/discharging a destructive device and loitering and prowling.