The United States Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Thomas L. Kirsch II, announced that a grand jury sitting in South Bend returned a 5-count indictment against Eric P. Krieg, age 45, of Munster, Indiana.
Krieg was indicted on the following charges:
- Count 1- Making an Unregistered Destructive Device
- Count 2- Mailing a Destructive Device
- Count 3- Malicious Use of Explosive Materials
- Count 4- Possessing a Destructive Device In Furtherance of a Crime of Violence
- Count 5- Mailing a Threatening Communication
(FBI Investigates Pipe Bomb Blast At An East Chicago Post Office. Courtesy of CBS Chicago and YouTube. Posted on Sep 7, 2017)
The indictment alleges from at least 2012 through August 2017, Krieg engaged in a series of online postings and communications concerning other residents of Northwest Indiana.
Krieg made these statements in multiple online forums, including a webpage “blog” format that he controlled.
(Federal authorities charged Eric Krieg with possession of a destructive device and transporting explosive materials. Courtesy of CBS Chicago and YouTube. Posted on Oct 12, 2017)
A lawsuit was filed in the Lake County, Indiana Superior Court in 2013 based upon statements Krieg made on his blog.
After the lawsuit was filed against Krieg, he filed for bankruptcy.
Victim 1 was the attorney who represented an individual in a lawsuit against Krieg.
Through filings in Bankruptcy Court, Victim 1 claimed the lawsuit could not be discharged in bankruptcy. Krieg and Victim 1’s client agreed to settle the lawsuit.
The settlement required Krieg to pay the client $45,000 and post an apology on Krieg’s blog.
The indictment alleges that an explosion took place at an U. S. Postal facility in East Chicago, Indiana on or about September 6, 2017 injuring a Postal Service employee (Victim 2).
The package that exploded was addressed to Victim 1.
The indictment also alleges that on or about September 29, 2017, a suspicious package was mailed to Victim 3 that contained a threat to injure Victim 3.
“When individuals use dangerous, explosive devices as the means to commit or attempt to commit violent acts, those individuals will be held accountable for their actions,” said U.S. Attorney Kirsch.
“We will continue to partner with our Federal, State and Local law enforcement agencies to vigorously investigate and prosecute all manner of violent crime.”
The United States Attorney’s office emphasizes that an Indictment is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This complaint results from an investigation by the United States Postal Inspection Service; Federal Bureau of Investigation; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives; United States Marshal’s Service; East Chicago Police; Hammond Police; Indiana State Police; Munster Police; and Porter County Sheriff’s Department.
This case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Joshua P. Kolar and Jennifer Chang.
