PHILADELPHIA - United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced that Brian James Kunsman, 46, of Philadelphia, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey L. Schmehl to 77 months imprisonment, three of supervised release, for possession of an unregistered destructive device.

Officials said in October of 2021, the defendant possessed a “pipe bomb” inside the emergency room at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Fountain Hill. An attending nurse discovered Kunsman had brought the homemade destructive device in his backpack while he was a patient at the emergency room.

Following the discovery, the emergency department of the hospital was evacuated for a four-hour period and all incoming trauma patients had to be diverted to other local hospitals.

“Homemade explosive devices are a dangerous threat in any circumstance; prompting an evacuation in an emergency department where patients are receiving acute medical care is unconscionable,” said Atty. Romero. “We are grateful to our law enforcement partners for working quickly and efficiently to ensure the safety of everyone impacted by Kunsman’s actions.”

According to ATF Special Agent in Charge Eric DeGree, “The defendant engaged in incredibly reckless behavior, endangering the lives of the hospital staff, patients, and first responders.” He added, “We appreciate the support of the U.S. Attorney’s office and our state and local law enforcement partners throughout this investigation.”

The case was investigated by the Allentown Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Borough of Fountain Hill Police Department, Allentown Bomb Squad and the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Lewis Fallenstein.