St. Louis Man Indicted for 2008 Bombing in Clayton Parking Garage

ST. LOUIS—The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that Milton Ohlsen III is charged in five counts for the 2008 bombing in the Carondelet Plaza garage that injured Clayton attorney John L. Gillis.

MILTON OHLSEN III was indicted last week by a federal grand jury on one felony count each of transportation of explosives with intent to injure; malicious use of an explosive devise; use of destructive device to commit a crime of violence; felon in possession of an explosive; and possession of an unregistered destructive device. The indictment was unsealed this morning when Olsen briefly appeared in federal district court to have his formal arraignment scheduled for Monday, July 11, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. before United States Magistrate Judge Nannette Baker. The five charges carry punishments ranging to life in prison.

“This indictment is a testament to the tenacity of the St. Louis law enforcement community,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Michael P. Gleysteen.

The case was investigated by ATF, the St. Louis County and Clayton Police Departments, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Evidence Response Team. Prosecutors from both the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office and the United States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the almost three-year investigation. United States Attorney Richard Callahan and Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch had nothing but praise for the seamless manner in which the agencies worked, sharing information and following up on every new lead. Callahan declined to comment on what evidence finally enabled prosecutors to file the charges and why charges were filed in federal court rather than state court other than to say it was a joint decision made together with Bob McCulloch. Assistant United States Attorney Carrie Costantin, who was formerly with the St. Louis County Prosecutor’s Office, will be prosecuting the case.

As is always the case, charges set forth in an indictment are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.