A man named Farnsworth has pleaded guilty in Salem Superior Court to multiple charges, including two counts of possessing an incendiary device, carrying a firearm without a license, possessing a large-capacity firearm, carrying a firearm without a firearm identification card, and possessing ammunition without a firearm identification card.
One of the firearm-related charges stems from an incident where Farnsworth was stopped in Wrentham on the same day authorities responded to his home.
Judge Thomas Drechsler handed down a sentence of two and a half to two and a half years and one day in state prison, followed by three years of probation. Farnsworth is also required to undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment. The judge further ordered that Farnsworth is prohibited from possessing any guns, incendiary devices, or components for building incendiary devices.
The case originated on June 28, 2024, when Haverhill police received a report concerning Farnsworth. The report indicated that Farnsworth had spoken about constructing a bomb with the intent to harm himself and others,and that the device was described as being “ready to go off with minimal movement.”
A subsequent search of the premises uncovered an explosive device along with related materials. Authorities also found what Assistant district Attorney Maria Markos referred to as a “recipe” for a bomb.
In response to the discovery, nearby homes were evacuated. Haverhill police and the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad were dispatched to the scene shortly after the bomb threat was reported.
According to the State Fire Marshal Jon Davine’s office, bomb squad technicians utilized robotic platforms and other equipment to assess the device. They determined that it posed a “notable danger and could not safely be transported.”
The device was ultimately rendered safe through a controlled detonation, eliminating the threat to the area. no injuries were reported as a result of the incident. Residents were permitted to return to their homes, even though Rosebud Avenue remained closed for a brief period while emergency vehicles cleared the scene.
