Meth, Mushrooms, IEDs Found After Explosion in Big Lake

Oct 23

New charging documents say a Sherburne County deputy saw an explosive device detonate directly in front of his squad car Tuesday night.

The blast led to the arrest of two men accused of manufacturing improvised explosive devices in a Big Lake garage, allegedly using gunpowder, aluminum powder and other materials.

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According to criminal complaints filed Thursday, 24-year-old Ethan Richard Rorman, of Coon Rapids, and his uncle, 50-year-old Jantje C. Rorman, of Big Lake, were charged after deputies found multiple explosive components, controlled substances and a sawed-off shotgun. The complaint states that a deputy patrolling near 206th Street and 221st Avenue in Big Lake Township on Tuesday saw a bright flash and heard a loud concussive boom from a car that had just turned in front of him. With no other vehicles nearby, the explosion was determined to have come from that vehicle.

The deputy pulled the car over and found Jantje Rorman behind the wheel. He reportedly told the deputy he had been throwing fireworks, and both he and his passenger had silvery residue on their hands consistent with metallic powder, which investigators later identified as aluminum powder. The substance, commonly used to enhance explosive mixtures, was also found in multiple zipper-style bags at Ethan Rorman’s feet along with a propane-style torch.

A search of the car uncovered several containers with fuses attached, gunpowder mixtures, a holster and a pill bottle labeled with Ethan Rorman’s name. Deputies say the bottle contained methamphetamine. Ethan Rorman was arrested and later admitted to using meth earlier in the day with his uncle, the documents said.

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Ethan later told investigators there were more explosives and drugs at his uncle’s Big Lake home. He described helping make what he called “fireworks” by mixing gunpowder, aluminum powder and another chemical, then loading the mixture into pill and nasal spray containers fitted with fuses. He said the pair had made a larger explosive about a week earlier and had thrown several from their vehicle that night. He also claimed his uncle traded explosive devices for meth with a dealer in the Twin Cities, who provided a sawed-off shotgun in exchange for a “claymore-style” device packed with explosives and ball bearings.

Investigators executed a search warrant at the Big Lake home, describing the residence as filled with garbage, dirty dishes, hypodermic needles, and a strong odor of animals and urine. Inside, deputies found multiple cans of gunpowder, various types of ammunition, a box of BBs, and two cans of shotshell pellets. They also located three 3D-printed firearm suppressors with threaded ends and internal baffles, a partially disassembled Springfield XD pistol, magazines, and a bolt-action shotgun with a nine-inch barrel loaded with two shells and one in the chamber.

Investigators reported finding 16 grams of psilocybin mushrooms in a cabinet. Other mail and items tied to Jantje Rorman were found nearby. A search of Ethan Rorman’s vehicle later revealed glass containers with THC wax, meth residue, and a potato-sized IED wrapped in black electrical tape and wire with nails and BBs inside. Deputies said the device had a visible green fuse and was located inside a tire in the trunk.

Both men were taken into custody and remain held in the Sherburne County Jail.

Jantje Rorman is charged with five offenses: manufacturing or possessing explosive devices, drug possession, possessing explosives with intent, possessing a short-barreled shotgun and negligent storage of a loaded firearm accessible to a child.

Ethan Rorman faces three felony counts: manufacturing or possessing explosives, drug possession and possession of explosives with intent.

If convicted, each could face up to 10 years in prison on the most serious charges. Both men made initial court appearances where bail was set at $20,000 with conditions including no alcohol use, no possession of alcohol or drugs and random testing.

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