Crime & Safety

Suspected North Canton Bomb Maker Pleads Not Guilty

Thomas R. Ward will stand trial in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas starting Aug. 12.

Thomas R. Ward — the man accused of making improvised explosive devices in his North Canton home — pled not guilty to unlawful possession of dangerous ordnance, a fifth-degree felony, at his July 12 arraignment.

Ward, 51, will stand trial in the Stark County Court of Common Pleas. His pretrial has been slated for July 24, and the trial will begin Aug. 12, according to the Stark Clerk of Courts Office.

Judge Kristin Farmer will preside over the trial.

If convicted, Ward could be sentenced to up to one year in prison. 

Ward's capture

North Canton police arrested Ward on June 4 at the Towne Manor Motel, located at 926 Tuscarawas St. West in Canton. 

"NCPD detectives had been checking on several community based housing locations when he was discovered to be staying at the motel," said North Canton Police Chief Stephan Wilder at the time of his arrest. 

Canton police assisted in his capture. 

Ward, who reportedly suffers from a mental illness, had been missing since May 20 after police found three improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in his home, located at 1122 Sunford Ave. SE. 

He's currently being held in Stark County Jail. 


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