Marine Accused of Planting Explosives Says It Was a Joke

TUCSON — The Camp Pendleton, Calif., Marine who was arrested for planting several military-style booby traps near two schools says it was all a joke.

Jonathan I. Curtin, 24, told the Arizona Daily Star he did not mean to panic the community when he planted the devices at Roskruge Elementary and Bilingual Magnet Middle School, even though it was just weeks after the shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., that left 15 people, including the two teen shooters, dead.

“All of it was meant as a joke and not as anything to harm someone,” said Curtin, who was released Monday from Pima County Jail after posting a $1,100 bond. “This was in no way connected to anything that happened in the past few weeks.”

Curtin was arrested Sunday on charges of arson, endangerment and depositing explosive devices after a 63-year-old man reported that he tripped a wire causing a small explosion and a cloud of smoke. The man was not injured.

The devices give off a loud bang, a flash of light or a puff of smoke when detonated.

Tucson Police spokesman Sgt. Brett Klein said the devices, commonly used for military training, are not intended to harm but can cause severe burns if set off at close range.

Police found three booby trap simulators and two illumination devices set up along sidewalks. They also found more devices in a box at the home where Curtin was staying while on leave.

The booby traps caused concern among Tucson Unified School District officials, who searched more than 120 campuses for similar devices.

A preliminary hearing was set for May 13. Curtin also faces possible military punishment and federal charges.