AZ Man Sentenced After Attempting To Use Weapon Of Mass Destruction

A Phoenix man is now facing up to 15 years in prison, including 12 years of supervised release after attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, reported AZ Family.

27-year-old Jared Trent Atkins was sentenced this week for a crime he committed in 2019.

According to Phoenix police, Atkins went to a gas station in Phoenix and stabbed the night clerk that was working inside.

He then drove to his work, stole three devices containing radiological material Iridium-192 at around 3 a.m., and took tools to open the devices. About an hour after stealing the radiological material, he set fire to a vehicle at a Mesa car dealership.

Lawyers said that Atkins sent a text to his co-workers stating that he had possession of the materials and to stay home until the dangerous devices were found.

Atkins went to Mt. Ord in the Payson area and called his family to say goodbye. According to U.S. Attorneys, Atkins then opened one of the devices and planned to take his own life. He knew it would harm anyone trying to stop or arrest him. However, he closed it and drove back to Phoenix.

Police and FBI Agents went to Atkins' apartment, where he had barricaded himself inside. After a long standoff, he surrendered and was arrested.

All three devices with dangerous materials were safely recovered.

Atkins pleaded guilty to aggravated assault and arson of property, and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison. His federal sentence will run consecutive to his state sentence.

Photo: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office