Man detained before LA gay pride parade faces weapons charges
LOS ANGELES — An Indiana man has been charged with felony weapons violations after California authorities say he was found with three assault rifles and explosive chemicals in his car ahead of a major gay pride parade.
James Wesley Howell was charged Tuesday in Los Angeles County with possessing an assault weapon, a high-capacity magazine and explosives on a public highway.
He also was charged with a misdemeanor count of possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle.
Prosecutors are asking that he be held on $2 million bail. It was unclear if Howell has an attorney.
Police say the 20-year-old Howell was arrested Sunday in Santa Monica with the weapons and explosive materials in a car he apparently drove from Indiana.
Howell told police he was headed to a gay pride event in West Hollywood that attracts hundreds of thousands of people.
