Seattle – a 42-year-old King County resident appeared in federal court yesterday, charged by criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a destructive device, announced U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman. Sokphana Soeung was arrested October 12, 2024, following a slow speed chase and confrontation with law enforcement. Soeung remains detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac pending additional hearings.
According to the criminal complaint, Bellevue Police responded to Enatai Beach Park around noon on October 12, 2024, because of reports of two men sleeping in a car with the motor running. When contacted by police, Soeung drove away, running over spike strips that punctured all four tires on the car. Law enforcement followed and Washington State Patrol (WSP) joined the slow speed chase when the car pulled onto Interstate 90 in the westbound direction.
While on Mercer Island, a WSP trooper executed a maneuver to stop the car. At that point, Soeung jumped from the car holding a black ball device in one hand and a lighter in the other. Ultimately, police tackled Soeung, and he dropped the ball shaped item and the lighter. An investigation revealed that the ball shaped item was a tennis ball filled with explosive powder with a fuse. In the car law enforcement found a second explosive device made with sparklers taped together.
The investigation shut down I-90 for a lengthy period while the bomb squad determined there was no danger to the public or the I-90 bridge.
The second person in the car had jumped out ahead of Soeung and was detained and questioned and claimed to have no knowledge of the explosives.
Soeung has been in state custody since his arrest.
Unlawful possession of a destructive device is punishable by up to ten years in prison.
The case is being investigated by the Bellevue Police Department, Washington State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Cecelia Y. Gregson.
