MASON, Ohio — A Mason man has been given three years of probation after officials said he was connected to an alleged Improvised Explosive Device (IED) found at a Lebanon sports complex in September 2024.
FBI agents arrested James Phillips in April 2025 after officials linked him to a Sept. 22, 2024, incident where police located an IED in the parking lot of a large soccer complex in Lebanon. According to court documents, the Butler County Bomb Squad tested the IED's detonator, which exploded.
The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force identified Phillips as the "primary suspect" who allegedly left the device at the sports complex; the FBI said the task force also connected Phillips to other incidents "where he is alleged to have possessed and detonated potential explosives."
According to the FBI, Phillips' Apple iCloud account had multiple videos and photos implicating him, showing two men detonating multiple explosives — even blowing up a car.
Watch our breakdown of the months-long investigation and community reactions:
He was originally charged with possession of an unregistered firearm (destructive device). Though, on Tuesday, he pleaded guilty to transportation of explosive materials.
Phillips was given three years of probation, in which he is prohibited from possessing any firearm, ammunition, destructive device or dangerous weapon. He also cannot supervise others or provide instructions on how to make any explosive materials and must participate in mental health treatment and perform 100 hours of community service.
