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Indiana man charged with felonies after arrest in California

james wesley howell
(Photo Supplied/Santa Monica Police Department)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Latest on an Indiana man arrested in Southern California with three assault rifles and chemicals used to make explosives. (all times local):

12:45 p.m.

An Indiana man charged in California with possessing an assault weapon and explosives before a major gay pride parade is also the subject of a sexual assault investigation.

The Clark County, Indiana, Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday that 20-year-old James Wesley Howell of Jeffersonville is a suspect in the alleged May 31 assault.

A department spokesman declined to release further details.

The incident occurred less than two weeks before Howell was arrested Sunday in Santa Monica, California, when police said they found three assault rifles and explosive chemicals in a car apparently driven from Indiana.

Indianapolis FBI spokeswoman Wendy Osborne says agents searched Howell’s home Monday night.

A message seeking comment was left for Howell family attorney Bobby Boyd.

12:05 p.m.

An Indiana man has been charged with felony weapons violations after California authorities say he was found with three assault rifles and explosive chemicals in his car ahead of a major gay pride parade.

James Wesley Howell was charged Tuesday in Los Angeles County with possessing an assault weapon, a high-capacity magazine and explosives on a public highway.

He also was charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle.

Prosecutors are asking that he be held on $2 million bail. It was unclear if Howell has an attorney.

Police say the 20-year-old Howell was arrested Sunday in Santa Monica with the weapons and explosive materials in a car he apparently drove from Indiana.

Howell told police he was headed to a gay pride event in West Hollywood that attracts hundreds of thousands of people.

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