Traffic Stop in Walton County Leads to Arrest, Discovery of Pipe Bombs

A traffic stop in Walton County early Tuesday morning led deputies to a pair of pipe bombs and a stash of methamphetamine, according to the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies pulled over a vehicle near Smith Road and Highway 90 for displaying a cardboard tag labeled “PRIVATE.” The driver, who did not have identification, was later identified as Benjamin Adam Roach, 37, of DeFuniak Springs, through a birth certificate found in the car.

A search of Roach’s vehicle uncovered methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, according to the Sheriff’s Office. While searching the car, deputies also located two cylindrical devices: one made of capped PVC pipe and the other wrapped in heavy black electrical tape.

Roach allegedly told deputies both devices contained gunpowder and admitted that one had a fuse after initially denying it.

The Bay County Bomb Squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) responded to the scene. They confirmed that the objects were functional pipe bombs and disarmed the devices without incident.

Roach faces multiple felony charges, including:

• Making a bomb
• Possessing explosives
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Tampering with evidence
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

As of Tuesday afternoon, Roach remained in custody in Walton County with no bond issued. Federal authorities are assisting with the ongoing investigation and case.