Former student accused of bomb-making moved to Monroe County

A former IU student arrested in January for attempting to manufacture an explosive device was transported from Marion County Jail to Monroe County Jail Monday for his upcoming trial in Monroe County Circuit Court.

Ryder Pickens, 20, pleaded not guilty in his initial hearing in late January, according to court documents. In late February, his attorney filed a notice for the defense of insanity.

Pickens had chemicals and equipment that could have been used to create explosives in his basement room at 428 E. Varsity Lane, according to a Bloomington Police Department press release.

Based on a report made by Pickens’ roommate concerning dangerous chemicals and laboratory equipment, city police obtained a search warrant for Pickens’ room in January.

On Jan. 17, police found several chemicals, including nitric acid, ferric chloride and common household cleaners.

Pickens admitted to possessing laboratory equipment and chemicals, according to the press release.

He denied purchasing these items for making an explosive device.
Pickens was transported to IU-Health Hospital for a mental evaluation.

The roommate reported to police seeing a website open on Pickens’ computer detailing instructions on how to make an explosive device.

The same day, police returned to Pickens’ residence on a second search warrant because of a parcel delivery, according to the press release.

The items were identified as additional laboratory equipment, sodium nitrate, black iron oxide, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, potassium chlorate, strontium nitrate, barium nitrate and potassium perchlorate.

The combination of nitrates and chlorates could potentially lead to an explosion similar to the Oklahoma City bombing, Bloomington Township Department Chief Faron Livingston said in January.

Pickens was transported to Marion County Jail on April 19 for separate charges from 2013 — battery with injury, resisting law enforcement and criminal mischief — a Marion County Jail official said.

A trial date has yet to be scheduled in the Monroe County Circuit Court as of Tuesday.

Pickens is scheduled to appear in the Marion County Circuit Court for a May 19 hearing.

Dennis Barbosa