Suspect charged after arms seized from his Pennsylvania home

Thursday, March 21st 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(TAMAQUA, Pa.) - A man with a history of making terroristic threats was arrested after officers raided his home and seized firearms, homemade munitions and anti-government propaganda.

Edward Joseph Nesgoda, 34, was charged March 6 with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and obstructing administration of law. Police said one of his targets appeared to be the courthouse.

During the raid on his home about 40 miles south of Scranton, officials recovered 19 makeshift fragmentation grenades, a rifle and grenade launcher and a supply of modified 37 mm cartridges for use in the launcher, police said.

``There existed a real possibility that the target was the Schuylkill County Courthouse'' in Pottsville, said Cpl. Scott Price of the state police barracks in Frackville.

Nesgoda was being held Wednesday in prison on $25,000 bail. It was unclear if he had an attorney.

Nesgoda attacked officers during the raid and was taken into custody after a brief struggle. Both the suspect and a state trooper suffered broken hands in the struggle, Price said.

Investigators also found anti-government propaganda, including a picture of Osama bin Laden, who U.S. authorities say is responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks on the United States.

In 1998, Nesgoda was charged with terroristic threats after struggling with deputy sheriffs in the Schuylkill County Courthouse. He was sentenced to probation after pleading guilty.