BENTONVILLE, Ark.-A former student at John Brown University has pleaded not guilty to a felony charge involving the use of explosives.
Timothy Constantin, 20, was charged Tuesday in Benton County with criminal acts involving explosives. He was released on a $75,000 bond, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
Officers received a call in November about a suicidal person making comments about committing a mass shooting or bombing, according to a news release from the Siloam Springs Police Department.
Police and university Campus Safety officers went to Constantin's dorm room and found firearms and ammunition, including an AK-47 assault rifle and a Keltech 9 mm carbine gun, according to a probable cause affidavit. They also allegedly found a note revealing he wanted to commit mass violence because of his hatred for society.
Witnesses told authorities in interviews that Constantin was constructing explosive devices and igniting them at an off-campus location, according to police. Constantin later admitted to building explosive devices, but police found no material for such explosives in his dorm room, according to court documents.
Constantin, of Gainesville, Florida, told authorities he didn't intend to use the firearms for malicious purposes, according to the affidavit. He said he would use explosives if he wanted to commit a mass killing because they are easy to hide, synchronize and inflict mass damage, the affidavit said.
A spokeswoman for the university said Constantin isn't enrolled in classes this semester.