Man Pleads Guilty To Sending Gift-wrapped Bomb To Kill Romantic Rival

An Ohio man who attempted to kill a woman's boyfriend in another state has pleaded guilty to federal charges Wednesday. The charges against Clayton Alexander McCoy carry a prison sentence of up to 30 years.

McCoy's target, a Maryland resident, was sent a gift-wrapped box carrying a homemade bomb in October 2020. The bomb was sent with the intent to eliminate his romantic rival, Yahoo News reported.

The bomb went off, but the victim did not die. His survival, however, wasn't easy as he had to undergo multiple surgeries and spend weeks using a walker. Shrapnel from the explosive still occupies his body, said the U.S. attorney's office in Baltimore.

McCoy, 32, built the homemade bomb after being rejected by the victim's girlfriend, NBC News reported. It was delivered to the victim's home in Carroll County with the intent to kill, said the prosecutor's office. McCoy pleaded guilty to one count each of transporting explosives with intent to injure, and possession of an unregistered firearm/explosive device, prosecutors said.

The bomb was built from a pipe that McCoy filled with shrapnel including ball bearings and other metal pieces, court documents show. He then placed it in a cardboard gift box tied with a red ribbon. It was left on the victim's front porch which exploded when he opened the box, officials said. McCoy had allegedly driven seven hours to personally place the bomb outside the home, authorities say.

The victim's residence in northwest Baltimore is around 350 miles by road from McCoy's home in Chesterland, east Cleveland.

No one else but the victim was injured in the explosion. The box was opened inside his bedroom, according to documents. The house was left inhabitable for months after the explosion. The damages incurred amounted to $46,000, prosecutors said.

Both men and the romantic interest knew each other for a number of years through a live-action role-playing game. In October 2020, McCoy confessed his feelings to the woman, which she didn't reciprocate but revealed that she was in a relationship with the victim.

McCoy then devised a plan to eliminate the victim from the equation and went on to research bomb-making. He visited multiple stores and purchased items to make the explosive powder and other components of the bomb, paying in cash. McCoy also made a prototype of the bomb and tested it in his yard to ensure the bomb's functioning.

McCoy now faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for transporting the explosives with intent to injure, and additional ten years maximum in prison for possession of the device. The sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.