RIVERSIDE - A Norco man arrested on felony charges of possessing explosives and other weapons misdemeanors pleaded not guilty to those charges at his arraignment Tuesday. Thomas Lee McKiernan, 62, of Norco made the plea in Riverside Superior Court. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department arrested McKiernan on Friday on suspicion of possessing explosives, possessing assault weapons and possessing illegal ammunition.
His bail was set at $100,000. The original incident occurred Thursday when a fire broke out at McKiernan's home and sheriff's deputies from Jurupa Valley and Norco responded because McKiernan got physical with firefighters. Sheriff's deputies later found at the home more than a million rounds of ammunition, more than 125 guns and more than 75 pounds of black ammunition powder.
McKiernan was largely silent for the arraignment. He wore an orange jumpsuit and his hands and feet were bound with chains. McKiernan did manage to get up out of his seat and speak briefly with his attorney in the back of the courtroom before Judge Janice McIntyre called his name.
When they spoke, news cameras from the front of the courtroom snapped loudly. Family members declined to comment. His next court appearance to review bail is Thursday.
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