Plano Bombing Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

The man accused of trying to blow up a pipeline in Plano plead not guilty in a U.S. District courthouse in Sherman Wednesday.

Anson Chi, 33, smiled at his parents as he walked into the courthouse, moments before entering his plea.  Chi is facing a federal charge of possession of an unregistered firearm or explosive device.

Chi was allowed to change lawyers during Wednesday's court appearance. Neither his attorneys nor his family wanted to make any comment.

The grand jury in Sherman indicted Anson Chi on a weapons charge after a homemade bomb exploded on a natural gas regulator on June 18.

If convicted, Chi could receive a 10-year prison sentence.

An FBI agent has testified that a search found significant amounts of chemicals and lab equipment, along with writing bomb instructions, in the Plano home Chi shared with his parents.

Federal prosecutors said Chi had made the bomb, but it exploded prematurely. The blast caused little damage but critically injured Chi.

Chi's next court appearance is at the federal courthouse in Plano for a pre-trial conference on Sept. 4.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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