TEXARKANA, TX – A routine attempt to serve a felony warrant quickly escalated into a high-stakes standoff and the discovery of a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) at a Texarkana campground on July 9. Officers ultimately arrested Ronnie Lynn Maples, 59, of Bonham, Texas, on an outstanding warrant and new charges related to the device.
Texarkana Texas Police Department (TTPD) officers arrived at the KOA Campground at 500 St. Michael Dr. to serve an active felony warrant on Maples for failure to register as a sex offender. Despite observing movement inside Maples’ travel trailer, he repeatedly refused to respond to officers' attempts to contact him.
While securing the area, officers spotted what appeared to be an IED on the seat of Maples’ Dodge Ram truck. Given the potential danger and Maples’ reported history of violence, the Texarkana SWAT Team was activated. Nearby campers were safely evacuated, and a security perimeter was established.
After Maples continued to refuse to exit his trailer, SWAT deployed CS gas. Approximately three hours later, Maples surrendered due to the gas and was taken into custody.
The Barksdale Air Force Base (BAFB) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit responded to the scene and determined the device was inert. However, officials stated it was clearly intended to appear real. "We had been told when we were told about the warrant this man had a history of potentially being violent. Also, when we found that device in there, that raised a threat level to us and other people that were in the campgrounds there,” said a representative from the Texarkana Police Department.
The alleged device was removed from the scene. Maples has been transported to the Bi-State Jail and booked for possession of a hoax bomb and the outstanding felony warrant out of Fannin County, Texas. His total bond has been set at $101,500.
