Georgetown man arrested after police discover pipe bombs, guns, drugs, and hoax explosives
GEORGETOWN, DE — A domestic assault investigation in Sussex County escalated into a multi-agency explosives and weapons case after troopers uncovered pipe bombs, hoax devices, drugs, and a large weapons cache inside a Georgetown home, according to the Delaware State Police.
David Godwin, 61, was arrested on November 11 following a violent incident the previous day at a residence in the 17000 block of McColley’s Chapel Road. Troopers initially responded to a domestic-related assault on November 10, where they learned that Godwin had brandished a handgun and attempted to strike a family member with a club before fleeing the scene. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
The following day, troopers located and arrested Godwin at the same residence without incident. While conducting a safety sweep of the property, they discovered suspected pipe bombs, leading to a response from the Delaware State Police Explosives Ordnance Disposal Unit. The unit rendered the devices safe and secured the scene.
On November 12, investigators executed a search warrant on the property, assisted by the State Fire Marshal’s Office, the FBI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The operation uncovered additional hoax devices and illegal items, including:
- 4 functional pipe bombs
- 5 hoax pipe bomb devices
- 1 altered claymore mine (hoax device)
- 1 altered plastic grenade (hoax device)
- 9.1 grams of methamphetamine
- 27 marijuana plants
- 7 firearms, including handguns and rifles
- Assorted ammunition
Godwin is facing more than a dozen felony charges. He was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 2 and is being held at Sussex Correctional Institution on a combined $280,000 bond.
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Key Points
- David Godwin, 61, was arrested in Georgetown after troopers found bombs, guns, and drugs
- Investigators recovered four real pipe bombs, hoax explosives, meth, marijuana plants, and firearms
- Godwin is facing multiple felonies and remains in custody on $280,000 bond