January 13, 2024 - El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office officials report that on Friday January 12^th, 2024, after an exhaustive investigation, a joint search warrant operation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Highway Patrol, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. The search warrants were executed by Explosive Ordinance Disposal teams from the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol. The CHP Valley Division Special Services Unit and the Federal Bureau of Investigation assisted in these search warrants as well. The investigation was regarding a series of improvised explosive devices that had been placed alongside roads and highways, in multiple locations in El Dorado County and Sacramento County.

Benjamin Cunha, 41-year-old Orangevale man, was arrested in connection with the investigation. Cunha was arrested for 18740 PC (the unlawful explosion of a destructive device), 18715(A)(1) PC (maliciously or recklessly possessing an explosive device) and 18710(a) PC (Possession of a Destructive Device or Explosives). Cunha was booked into the El Dorado County Jail and is being held on 2.1 million dollars bail.

Due to the active investigation, there is no further information at this time.

Source & photos: El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office