Indiana Man Arrested with Weapons, Ammunition and Explosives

A 20 year old Indiana man was arrested on his way to the L.A. Pride Festival with a cache of weapons, ammunition and explosives.

According to the LA Times,

Santa Monica Police Chief Jacqueline Seabrooks initially said on Twitter that the 20-year-old man told one of her officers after he was arrested that he wanted “to harm Gay Pride event.”

But Lt. Saul Rodriguez said later the tweet was a misstatement. He said the suspect told investigators that he was going to the Pride festival but said he did not make additional statements about his intentions.

Friends of the suspect, James Wesley Howell, said he's never spoke of any ill will toward the LGBT community.

This isn't Howell's first run in with the law.  In fact, less than a year ago he was charged with intimidation and felony pointing a firearm at another person.

The L.A. Times goes on to say,

On April 19, Howell pleaded guilty to misdemeanor intimidation, and prosecutors dropped the charge of pointing a firearm. Court records show he was sentenced to a year in state prison and placed on probation. Under the deal, He agreed to forfeit all weapons during his term of probation.

This just hours before the tragic mass shooting in Orlando at a gay night club.  Stay updated on this story by clicking here.