Atmore veteran arrested after officers find homemade explosives at home

ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Ala. ( WKRG ) — A local veteran was arrested after police said they found homemade explosive devices at his home following allegedly concerning statements.

The Atmore Police Department said in a news release that officers arrested 34-year-old Trenton Lofton after he reportedly made concerning statements.

According to police, this led officers to conduct a follow-up investigation the next day on Oct. 15 where they “discovered that Lofton possibly constructed two homemade explosive devices.”

The release noted that Lofton had military experience serving as an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Tech, and is undergoing treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“An APD investigator obtained a search warrant for Lofton’s address. APD staff contacted the Mobile Police Department Bomb Squad, the ATF, and an ALEA SWAT team which includes crisis negotiators,” the release said. “While awaiting the arrival of the additional resources APD investigators learned that Lofton was at Walmart. The investigators conducted a traffic stop on Lofton as he was about to leave Walmart.”

Lofton was arrested outside of the Walmart without incident, according to the release.

He was charged with possession/distribution of a destructive device weapon and taken to the Escambia County, Alabama Detention Center.

“The Atmore Police Department recognizes that Mr. Lofton served our country and is suffering from PTSD. Our hope is that he receives the mental health care he needs.”

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