Contact: Nathan Lederman 508-584-8120
WAREHAM – A Wareham man was arraigned today in district court on charges stemming from an incident earlier this month which caused an explosion at his residence, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.
Mark Halpin, 50, is charged with one count each of Possession of Explosives and Secreting, Throwing, Launching, or Placing of Explosives. He was held on $10,000 cash bail. If released on bail, Halpin is ordered to wear a GPS monitor, remain in home confinement and not to possess any weapons or incendiary devices. The defendant was also ordered to continue pre-existing mental health treatment as a condition of his release. The Commonwealth sought pre-trial detention in this case, and subsequently requested Halpin be held on $75,000 cash bail.
On the afternoon of October 3, the Massachusetts State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office — as well as local police and fire department personnel — responded to reports of an explosion at a home on Aunt Maryville Lane. First responders located the homeowner, identified as Halpin, and noted he had sustained burns to his upper body, cuts to his hands and was spitting up blood. They also noted the residence sustained damage consistent with an explosion, such as broken windows, warped and melted appliances and scattered debris. Upon searching the defendant’s home, law enforcement found calcium fluoride, compressed air tanks, ammonium nitrate, and various powders and chemicals common in the manufacturing of explosives or fireworks. Halpin was subsequently arrested and held in custody on $15,000 bail. He has been in custody since his arrest, and his initial bail was reduced at arraignment.
Halpin is next scheduled to appear in court on November 3.