Man pleads not guilty to explosive-materials possession

Costa Mesa police arrested a 66-year-old man suspected of possessing materials with which to make explosives, police said.

Baylor Eldric Maggenti of Costa Mesa was arrested Monday after police discovered gun powder, fuse material and other materials necessary to build an improvised explosive device, in addition to a number of firearms, at a business unit at 1835 Whittier Ave., where Maggenti also was living, police said.

Police received an anonymous call Monday notifying them that Maggenti may have materials necessary to make explosives. About 6 p.m., Costa Mesa police, along with Orange County Sheriff’s Department bomb squad investigators, served a search warrant at Maggenti’s residence.

Among the 34 guns police found were handguns and rifles, some semi-automatic and some commemorative or collectible, authorities said. Police discovered a short-barreled shotgun and semi-automatic handgun with modifications, which police said may have been illegal.

Jail records show Maggenti was held in lieu of $150,000 bail and is expected to appear in court Wednesday.

Police stressed that no completed devices were found.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30