Explosives found while executing search warrant for child pornography

ZANESVILLE, Ohio- The Muskingum County Sheriff’s Office is releasing new information after a search warrant leads to explosives being detonated.

Sheriff Matt Lutz said his office conducted a search warrant yesterday at a home in the 2000 block of Stanway. He said his office received a complaint in reference to child pornography last Friday. While searching the home, deputies and detectives came across explosive material. The Columbus bomb squad was called in to assist with the materials.

“At about 10 o’clock last night those explosives were detonated in the area of Fairview Road and Dresden Road,” said Sheriff Lutz. “That was the loud explosion that several of our community members heard last night.”

Lutz said the suspect in the case is a former Muskingum County Sheriff’s Deputy, Timothy Hartmeyer, who retired in 2006. Lutz said Hartmeyer was served a warrant and arrested near Mobile, Alabama. At this time it’s unknown how Hartmeyer got his hands on the illegal materials.

“I don’t know. I’ve never bought it. I’ve never obtained it. So I’m not real sure where you get it or how you get it,” said Lutz.  “I do know that what we got and the bomb squad looked at it was illegal for him to possess as a civilian.”

If you have any information, you are asked to call the Sheriff’s Office. The investigation is ongoing.