Pipe Bomb Suspect Pleads Guilty

TYLER — Henderson resident Larry Eugene North, 53, has pleaded guilty to possession of an illegal firearm or destructive device, use of a weapon of mass destruction, and obstruction of mail in Judge John Love’s federal courtroom in Tyler. North is set for sentencing in Judge Leonard Davis’s court this afternoon.

North was accused of placing more than 30 explosive devices into mailboxes and at other locations across East Texas. On April 8, 2010, authorities arrested North as he was placing an explosive in a Tyler mailbox.

He had been under surveillance for about a week before his arrest; a pipe bomb was found in the van he was driving and bomb-making materials were discovered in his home, authorities said. He could face 10 years in prison if convicted. Authorities believe North was responsible for planting 36 devices between February 5 and April 7. No injuries or explosions resulted from the devices.