WLOX.com - The News for South MississippiTwo charged in connection to Gulfport explosions appear in court

Two charged in connection to Gulfport explosions appear in court

Posted: Updated:
By Elizabeth Vowell - bio | email
David Eugene Bangs (Photo source: Harrison Co. Sheriff's Dept.) David Eugene Bangs (Photo source: Harrison Co. Sheriff's Dept.)
Jimmy Lee Wilson (Photo source: Stone Co. Sheriff's Dept.) Jimmy Lee Wilson (Photo source: Stone Co. Sheriff's Dept.)
Jack Wilson (Photo source: Harrison Co. Sheriff's Dept.) Jack Wilson (Photo source: Harrison Co. Sheriff's Dept.)

  • Most Popular StoriesMost Popular Stories

  • Sunday, May 20 2012 1:31 PM EDT2012-05-20 17:31:12 GMT
    A Picayune woman faces vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges following an accident on I-59 shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday, according to Louisiana state police. Officials said, 51-year-old Carol
    A Picayune woman faces vehicular homicide and reckless driving charges following an accident on I-59 shortly after 1 a.m. on Sunday, according to Louisiana state police.

  • Saturday, May 19 2012 11:02 PM EDT2012-05-20 03:02:55 GMT
    Family and friends are mourning the loss of a Perkinston teen who died Friday night after officials say he got behind the wheel drunk. Nineteen-year-old Grant Lowery Hickman wrecked his truck just about
    Family and friends are mourning the loss of a Perkinston teen who died Friday night after officials say he got behind the wheel drunk. Nineteen-year-old Grant Lowery Hickman wrecked his truck just about a mile from his home on Wire Road just east of Parker Road.

  • Sunday, May 20 2012 9:07 AM EDT2012-05-20 13:07:45 GMT
    The first annular solar eclipse in 18 years will take place this evening. An annular solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, and at the peak of the eclipse, only a ring of
    The first annular solar eclipse in 18 years will take place this evening. An annular solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, and at the peak of the eclipse, only a ring of

  • Sunday, May 20 2012 2:02 PM EDT2012-05-20 18:02:35 GMT
    A Biloxi man was arrested on Sunday after police said he hit his fiancée in the head with a rock. Read more on our Biloxi Community site... Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.
    A Biloxi man was arrested on Sunday after police said he hit his fiancée in the head with a rock.

  • Saturday, May 19 2012 9:19 PM EDT2012-05-20 01:19:47 GMT
    According to the Stone County coroner, a combination of excessive speed and alcohol are the underlying causes of a wreck that killed 19-year-old Grant Lowery Hickman of Perkinston. The overnight accident
    According to the Stone County coroner, a combination of excessive speed and alcohol are the underlying causes of a wreck that killed 19-year-old Grant Lowery Hickman of Perkinston.  Hickman reportedly spent Friday night with friends at the Gulfport Music Festival.  And they told authorities alcohol was consumed.  The coroner said Hickman's blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit.

  • Friday, May 18 2012 7:17 PM EDT2012-05-18 23:17:11 GMT
    (WMC-TV) - More than 1,000 Action News 5 Facebook fans are rallying around a mother who feels Facebook is discriminating against photos she posted on the social media network of her son. Grayson James
    UPDATE: A Mid-South mother has been banned from Facebook for the photos she posted of her newborn son.
     

     

  • Sunday, May 20 2012 8:09 AM EDT2012-05-20 12:09:31 GMT
    The gates open later today so fans can see the final acts on the 2012 Gulfport Music Festival schedule. From all indications, the first two days of the music festival have been a huge success. The weather
    The gates open later today so fans can see the final acts on the 2012 Gulfport Music Festival schedule.  From all indications, the first two days of the music festival have been a huge success.  The weather remains perfect.  Jones Park is getting rave reviews.  And the entertainment has everybody in attendance raising their hands, and tapping their toes.

  • Sunday, May 20 2012 11:15 AM EDT2012-05-20 15:15:54 GMT
    It was one of the worst kept secrets in Biloxi. And now, it's not a secret any longer. Jimmy Buffett will perform at the opening of his Margaritaville casino. Margaritaville's PR team sent out a news
    It was one of the worst kept secrets in Biloxi.  And now, it's not a secret any longer.  Jimmy Buffett will perform at the opening of his Margaritaville casino.  Margaritaville's PR team sent out a news release that says Buffett will perform in Biloxi when the back bay casino opens on Tuesday.  His performance will be at 5:00, when invited guests arrive to see the new gambling property.

  • Sunday, May 20 2012 5:19 PM EDT2012-05-20 21:19:12 GMT
    A Biloxi woman was arrested on Sunday on one count of DUI, 2nd offense, according to Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford. Read more on our Gulfport community site... Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights
    A Biloxi woman was arrested on Sunday on one count of DUI, 2nd offense, according to Gulfport Police Chief Alan Weatherford.

  • Friday, May 18 2012 6:55 AM EDT2012-05-18 10:55:55 GMT
    A senior prank has landed 25 Pass High students in trouble with the law and now they may not be able to walk in their graduation. Pass Christian assistant Police Chief James Stewart said the students
    A senior prank has landed 25 Pass High students in trouble with the law and now they may not be able to walk in their graduation. Pass Christian assistant Police Chief James Stewart said the students pried open the cafeteria door and created quite a mess.
GULFPORT, MS (WLOX) -

It's been just two weeks since authorities detonated military anti-tank rounds on a property off Saucier Lane in Gulfport. The bombs were discovered after Dale Ray Johnson was severely injured. The man tried to cut into one of the devices and triggered an explosion.

In the investigation that followed, the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives has made three arrests: Jack Wilson, Jimmy Wilson and David Bangs have all been charged.

"Through these arrests we are finding out more of what happened, and we're starting to get to the bottom of what happened," said ATF Agent Joel Lee.

In their initial appearance in federal court, Jimmy Wilson and David Bangs were both charged with unlawful possession of destructive devices. 

Court documents revealed that witnesses told investigators they had overheard the two talking about the explosives, even claiming that they were stolen from Camp Shelby.

ATF agents are confident that the 84 millimeter anti-tank rounds discovered on the property, were stolen from Camp Shelby; however, it is unclear by whom.

"We will continue to analyze the evidence that we already have, and we're going to continue our investigation so that we know everything there is to know in this investigation," said Lee.

That may mean more charges for those already in custody, or even more arrests.

The lead ATF agent said it is not yet known if the man injured in the initial blast, Johnson, will also be charged.

"We do have a very strong idea of his involvement, but at this time we're not sure as to whether charges are going to be filed against him," said Lee.

Jack Wilson and Jimmy Wilson are uncles of Johnson.  Jack Wilson has been charged with a federal weapons charge.

Jimmy Wilson and David Bangs are being held by authorities until a bond hearing that is set for Friday.

Copyright 2012 WLOX. All rights reserved.