FRESNO, CALIF. — Joseph Roy Vigneault, a 21-year-old from Lake Isabella, was sentenced to 17 months in prison today for distributing explosives without a license, as announced by U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
Court documents revealed that in May 2023, Vigneault, along with Michael Roy Anglin, 22, from Wofford Heights, unlawfully sold approximately 350 pounds of Hydromite 880 explosives.
These explosives, significantly more potent than dynamite, were delivered to a non-licensed individual.
The sale included six full boxes and one partial box, all clearly marked as explosives.
It was determined that the Hydromite 880 had been stolen from Austin Powder West LLC, a licensed distributor based in Lake Isabella. The theft occurred between May 6 and May 11, 2023, with 295 sticks of explosives unaccounted for, including those sold by Vigneault. The total value of the unrecovered explosives amounted to $7,603.
Vigneault has agreed to pay restitution in this amount to Austin Powder. His co-defendant, Anglin, has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing on October 21, 2024, facing up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
