ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. — Editor's note: WCNC Charlotte is choosing to use this mugshot because of the severity of the charges and high bond level.
The Rowan County Sheriff's Office said a man is facing a handful of charges after pipe bombs were found in his car Monday afternoon.
Deputies said they stopped the car driven by 45-year-old Christopher Wade McDaniel just after noon that day at a gas station along Long Ferry Road, east of the Spencer community, for an expired tag. A K9 officer was called to the scene because McDaniel appeared to be nervous, and the officer alerted handlers to the presence of drugs inside the car.
McDaniel was then asked to step out of the car and deputies began searching. However, they found what appeared to be several pipe bombs in the glove box and discontinued the search. The sheriff's office ordered everyone back from the car and evacuated the gas station, roping off the parking lot to prevent anyone else from entering. Deputies then called the bomb squad with the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office in.
The squad was able to detonate the pipe bombs and the search of McDaniel's car resumed. Rowan County deputies said they found meth, a glass smoking pipe, and ball bearings inside.
Deputies were then able to obtain warrants to search McDaniel's home and his parents' home. While deputies said they received information suggesting he was making pipe bombs at his parents' home, searches at both addresses did not turn up any more explosives or materials.
McDaniel is now charged with possessing weapons of mass destruction, possessing meth, possessing drug paraphernalia, having no operator's license, no financial responsibility, and for an expired registration. He was booked into jail and placed under a $250,000 secured bond.
Note: WCNC instituted a policy in March 2021 regarding the broadcast or posting of mugshots.
WCNC will only air or post a mugshot if the person has been formally charged with a crime and in a few other cases. The exceptions include: If it appears the person could be a danger to themselves or others or if they are wanted by authorities; to differentiate between people with a common name; if the photos could encourage more victims to come forward. The news-editorial leadership may also decide to use a mugshot based on the severity of the crime(s) committed and/or the level of public interest in the crime and ensuing criminal proceedings.