Man admits possessing parts for pipe bomb

BENTON — A southern Illinois man faces up to 20 years in federal prison now that he's admitted possessing components to make a pipe bomb.

Fifty-one-year-old Robert Sloat of Herrin pleaded guilty Tuesday to possessing explosive materials by a previously convicted felon and to having an unregistered destructive device.

The U.S. government alleges officials found Sloat with a can of gunpowder, a fuse and two lead pipes wrapped in duct tape with end caps screwed onto each end during a traffic stop in the Franklin County community of Zeigler. Authorities say Sloat told them he intended to use the pipe bombs to blow up fish or a tree stump.

Sloat previously was convicted of making methamphetamine.