DEERFIELD BEACH, FL – A 47-year-old Broward County man faces 15 felony charges for allegedly manufacturing Molotov cocktails and other explosive devices after deputies responded to reports of gunshots and erratic behavior at his apartment complex.
Justin Messingham was arrested Saturday morning following two emergency calls to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. The first call reported gunshots in the 900 block of Crystal Lake Drive around 10 a.m., followed by a second call about a man screaming and acting erratically in the street nearby.
Deputies found Messingham outside his apartment building and ordered him to get down. When he refused to comply, officers used a taser to subdue him, according to the arrest report. Shell casings were discovered outside his apartment, and a search warrant revealed multiple firearms, ammunition, and several explosive devices inside his residence.
Investigators found Molotov cocktails hidden near the refrigerator that were “ready for use,” along with Tannerite and other combustible materials that could be assembled into improvised explosive devices, according to court records. Broward County Judge Corey B. Friedman noted the significant quantity of explosive materials during Messingham’s bond hearing.
Messingham told deputies that someone had shot at him from outside his apartment, but evidence showed the gunfire originated from inside his unit. A bullet penetrated the wall and entered a neighbor’s apartment across the hallway, though no injuries were reported.
During questioning, deputies noted that Messingham appeared to be experiencing a mental health crisis and seemed “disconnected from reality,” making references to Star Wars while being interviewed. After posting bond Wednesday, Messingham attributed his behavior to being off his prescribed Lexapro medication.
Prosecutors cited public safety concerns during the bond hearing, noting that the Broward Sheriff’s Office has filed for a risk protection order. Messingham is charged with 15 counts of making or attempting to make an obstructive device and one count of resisting an officer without violence.
As conditions of his release, Messingham is prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition, or explosives. He must wear a GPS monitoring device and undergo a mental health evaluation within 10 days, following any recommended treatment protocols.
