UC Davis researcher faces 10 charges after blast | Crime

SACRAMENTO, CA - A University of California, Davis chemistry researcher who was injured in an explosion last week has been charged with 10 counts of possessing firearms and explosives.  

The Yolo County District Attorney's office does not say in the five-page complaint whether 32-year-old David Snyder intended to harm anyone with the items found in his campus apartment after the explosion there.

"There were the finished components of bombs located," Yolo County Assistant Deputy Chief Attorney Michael Cabral said. "We are opposed to any bail reduction because we believe the defendant is a flight risk as well as a danger to the community."

Snyder pleaded not guilty during a brief initial court appearance Thursday in Yolo County Superior Court in Woodland, north of Sacramento. One of his defense attorneys said her client had the materials for research and wasn't intending to build a bomb.

"This event was a very unfortunate accident, where Dr. Snyder was injured," attorney Jessica Graves said. "He had no intention of making a bomb and we look forward to helping him clear his name." 

Snyder was treated at a hospital for hand injuries after the blast.

A prosecutor said investigators found liquid and solid explosive materials and devices to detonate them in the apartment; the prosecution said there also evidence Snyder was planning to leave the state and not return.

"My understanding is that his family is in Texas and he was in the process of leaving the university and returning to Texas at the time of this incident," Cabral said.

Snyder is also charged with reckless disposal of hazardous waste after law enforcement found chemicals discarded in four different dumpsters on and off the UC Davis campus. Police are investigating whether Snyder had help throwing these chemicals away. Snyder's bond is set at $2 million. His pretrial and bond hearing are scheduled for Feb. 8.