Aram Brunson, a 21-year-old man from Newton, Massachusetts, has been charged with engaging in a scheme to cover up his attempts to develop bomb-making skills after triggering an explosion in his dorm at the University of Chicago last year, according to federal investigators. Brunson is also facing charges of making false statements to federal officials at Logan International Airport.
Prosecutors allege that Brunson’s bomb-making activities were motivated by his desire to take militant action against Azerbaijanis and others who pose a threat to ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. This led to his involvement in creating explosives and sharing instructional videos online.
Investigators believe that Brunson is currently living in Armenia and attending the American University there. Efforts have been made to encourage him to return to the United States for questioning, but he has declined through a representative.
Each of the charges against Brunson carries a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. Acting United States Attorney Joshua Levy stated that while radical political views are protected, engaging in dangerous activities and providing false information crosses the line.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office did not immediately respond to inquiries about Brunson’s legal representation. The case highlights the serious consequences of engaging in illegal activities and the importance of national security measures to prevent such incidents.
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