Cass County (trfnews.i234.me) – A routine traffic stop on June 11 near mile marker 124 on I-29 southbound turned into a dangerous situation after North Dakota State Troopers discovered a live explosive device in a vehicle occupied by two Fargo men.
Court documents identify the driver as Gabriel Messmer and the passenger as Christopher Ringsrud-Knowels. The stop was initiated due to illegal window tinting. Troopers noted both men were nervous, and a background check revealed Ringsrud-Knowels had an extensive criminal history.
A K-9 unit alerted to the vehicle, prompting a search. Inside, troopers found a cylindrical object wrapped in electrical tape with a visible fuse. Ringsrud-Knowels claimed it was a smoke bomb, but law enforcement, citing training, identified it as a homemade explosive.
The bomb squad confirmed the item was live, and it detonated during their handling, further confirming the danger.
Both men now face felony possession of explosives, a charge that carries up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.